.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Victor Keats, The Illustrated Guide to World Chess Sets, Batsford Ltd, 1985, page 165, pl.191.
Hans and Siegfried Wichmann, Chess, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, 1960, pl.145.
Traditionally these type of chess men are from Kholmogory, a town regarded for its specialist craft and trade in walrus and mammouth ivory ornamental wares. Some of the key pieces bear traits unique to the history and culture of Russia, for example the queen is represented as a counsellor to the enthroned king, the bishops modelled as elephants and the rooks as ships. These figures show a resemblance to earlier Indian and Eastern sets. The Russian side are typically depicted as Roman centurions, also modelled on Catherine the Great's personal Prerobazhensky guard, who a wore similar uniform.
Victor Keats, The Illustrated Guide to World Chess Sets, Batsford Ltd, 1985, page 165, pl.191.
Hans and Siegfried Wichmann, Chess, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, 1960, pl.145.
Traditionally these type of chess men are from Kholmogory, a town regarded for its specialist craft and trade in walrus and mammouth ivory ornamental wares. Some of the key pieces bear traits unique to the history and culture of Russia, for example the queen is represented as a counsellor to the enthroned king, the bishops modelled as elephants and the rooks as ships. These figures show a resemblance to earlier Indian and Eastern sets. The Russian side are typically depicted as Roman centurions, also modelled on Catherine the Great's personal Prerobazhensky guard, who a wore similar uniform.