Lot Essay
A very similar board was sold at Sotheby's New York, the Harbeson Chess Collection, October 5, 1979, lot 553.
Details
A South German inlaid ivory and ebony folding chess and backgammon board, early 17th century
The chess board with various incised insects to the ivory chequers alternating with inlaid quatrefoils centred by interlacing Gothic cusps to the ebony chequers, recessed within an outer border inlaid with spandrels of foliate scrolls centred by grotesque masks within panels of fruiting foliage centred by stylised flowerheads and acanthus rosettes, the backgammon board to the interior inlaid with mannerist style obelisks with alternating fluted and scale ornament above grotesque masks, the central dividing panels depicting figures personifying the four seasons, the board deeply recessed within a border of conforming spandrels and panels of flowers, pierced for game markers, the underside inlaid with a gameboard in the form of a maze, with L shaped panels of conforming ornament enclosing a panel depicting two figures seated at a table and playing on a gameboard, within an outer border inlaid with figures of cats and dogs and centred by female masks, with theatrical masks to the spandrels, the steel escutcheons and hinges incised with foliate ornament and bearing traces of gilt
32¾in. (83.2cm) long, extended; 18 1/8in. (46.3cm) wide; 4½in. (11.5cm) deep, when closed
The chess board with various incised insects to the ivory chequers alternating with inlaid quatrefoils centred by interlacing Gothic cusps to the ebony chequers, recessed within an outer border inlaid with spandrels of foliate scrolls centred by grotesque masks within panels of fruiting foliage centred by stylised flowerheads and acanthus rosettes, the backgammon board to the interior inlaid with mannerist style obelisks with alternating fluted and scale ornament above grotesque masks, the central dividing panels depicting figures personifying the four seasons, the board deeply recessed within a border of conforming spandrels and panels of flowers, pierced for game markers, the underside inlaid with a gameboard in the form of a maze, with L shaped panels of conforming ornament enclosing a panel depicting two figures seated at a table and playing on a gameboard, within an outer border inlaid with figures of cats and dogs and centred by female masks, with theatrical masks to the spandrels, the steel escutcheons and hinges incised with foliate ornament and bearing traces of gilt
32¾in. (83.2cm) long, extended; 18 1/8in. (46.3cm) wide; 4½in. (11.5cm) deep, when closed