Chess Set

Currently not on view

Chess Set

Designed 1944

Painter and sculptor Max Ernst designed this set for The Imagery of Chess exhibition at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York in 1944–45. It is distinctive in that the queen, by far the most important piece in the game, tops the king in height; traditionally the king is the tallest piece.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Chess Set

Date:

Designed 1944

Artist:

Medium:

Stained boxwood

Dimensions:

King: 4 1/2 x 2 1/8 inches (11.4 x 5.4 cm) Queen: 5 x 2 1/16 inches (12.7 x 5.2 cm) Knight: 3 5/8 x 2 3/8 x 1 15/16 inches (9.2 x 6 x 4.9 cm) Bishop: 3 7/8 x 1 7/8 inches (9.8 x 4.8 cm) Rook: 2 3/8 x 2 5/16 inches (6 x 5.9 cm) Pawn: 1 7/8 x 2 inches (4.8 x 5.1 cm)

Classification:

Toys (including dolls, games, puppets)

Credit Line:

Gift of John F. Harbeson, 1964

Accession Number:

1964-91-35(1--32)

Geography:

Made in United States, North and Central America

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Currently not on view