Lot 1142 - A206 Decorative Arts - Thursday, 21. September 2023, 10.00 AM
INDIAN "JOHN-STYLE" CHESS PIECE SET
19th century
Wood, carved full round and polychrome painted. The pawns in the form of soldiers, the remaining figures riding camels, horses or elephants.
H king 7 cm, pawn 3.5 cm.
Minor signs of use to the paintwork.
Provenance:
- Innocenti, 4.3.1983 (copy of invoice).
- Swiss private collection.
The name of this chess piece set comes from the John Company, active in India from the 18th century, which produced chess pieces for the British East India Company. Typical are the king and queen riding an elephant in a howdah, and the soldiers riding camels as bishops. Cf. Victor Keats. Chessmen - for collectors. London 1985. p. 22/23.
Provenance:
- Innocenti, 4.3.1983 (copy of invoice).
- Swiss private collection.
The name of this chess piece set comes from the John Company, active in India from the 18th century, which produced chess pieces for the British East India Company. Typical are the king and queen riding an elephant in a howdah, and the soldiers riding camels as bishops. Cf. Victor Keats. Chessmen - for collectors. London 1985. p. 22/23.
CHF 800 / 1 200 | (€ 820 / 1 240)
Sold for CHF 1 375 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.