Chess Set

Gallery 329, Asian Art, third floor (Lahiri Gallery)

Main Building

Chess Set

First half of 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

During the nineteenth century, chess sets were popularly made in India for export to the Western market. The elegant, inlaid ivory on this board is typical of the arts and crafts of Vishakhapatnam, while the pieces reflect both Indian and European aesthetics. The striking height and delicacy of the chessmen suggest they may have been awkward to use in play.

Gallery 329, Asian Art, third floor (Lahiri Gallery)

Object Details

Title:

Chess Set

Date:

First half of 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Ivory, inlaid wood, pigment

Dimensions:

Chess Board closed: 4 1/8 × 16 × 8 1/4 inches (10.5 × 40.6 × 21 cm) Chess Board open: 2 1/8 × 16 × 16 5/8 inches (5.4 × 40.6 × 42.2 cm) Component 1: 5 7/8 × 1 3/4 inches (14.9 × 4.4 cm) Component 2: 4 5/8 × 1 5/8 inches (11.7 × 4.1 cm) Component 3: 3 1/2 × 1 5/16 inches (8.9 × 3.3 cm) Component 4: 3 1/2 × 1 3/8 inches (8.9 × 3.5 cm) Component 5: 3 1/8 × 1 3/8 inches (7.9 × 3.5 cm) Component 6: 3 × 1 3/8 inches (7.6 × 3.5 cm) Component 7: 3 3/8 × 1 3/8 inches (8.6 × 3.5 cm) Component 8: 3 1/4 × 1 7/16 inches (8.3 × 3.7 cm) Component 9: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 10: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 11: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 12: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 13: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 14: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 15: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 16: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 17: 5 13/16 × 1 3/4 inches (14.8 × 4.4 cm) Component 18: 4 5/16 × 1 5/8 inches (11 × 4.1 cm) Component 19: 3 1/8 × 1 3/8 inches (7.9 × 3.5 cm) Component 20: 3 1/8 × 1 3/8 inches (7.9 × 3.5 cm) Component 21: 3 3/4 × 1 5/16 inches (9.5 × 3.3 cm) Component 22: 3 1/2 × 1 7/16 inches (8.9 × 3.7 cm) Component 23: 3 1/2 × 1 7/16 inches (8.9 × 3.7 cm) Component 24: 3 1/2 × 1 3/8 inches (8.9 × 3.5 cm) Component 25: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 26: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 27: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 28: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 29: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 30: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 31: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm) Component 32: 2 × 1 3/16 inches (5.1 × 3 cm)

Classification:

Toys (including dolls, games, puppets)

Credit Line:

Gift of John F. Harbeson, 1964

Accession Number:

1964-91-28(1--33)

Geography:

Made in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: British Raj (1858-1947)

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Gallery 329, Asian Art, third floor (Lahiri Gallery)

Main Building

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