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Lot Essay
The V&A museum have a similar type of set, described as turned blackbean and beechwood and late 19th century (inv.misc26-1967).A comparable Killarney yew or arbutus wood, of turned up-right form, the kings also bearing small decorative chips about the rim of disc below the finial, is illustrated in Gareth Williams, Master Pieces; The story of chess, Apple Press 2000, page 54.
The town of Killarney became associated with the manufacture of souvenir ware which flourished between 1845 to 1880. Bog-oak, holly, yew and sycamore were among the woods utilised, but the dark heartwood and light sap wood of arbutus unedo is more typically and uniquely associated with Killarney. This shrub, more commonly known as the strawberry tree, originated from the Mediterranean but flourished in the mild damp climate of this Irish region.
The town of Killarney became associated with the manufacture of souvenir ware which flourished between 1845 to 1880. Bog-oak, holly, yew and sycamore were among the woods utilised, but the dark heartwood and light sap wood of arbutus unedo is more typically and uniquely associated with Killarney. This shrub, more commonly known as the strawberry tree, originated from the Mediterranean but flourished in the mild damp climate of this Irish region.