| Date |
19th century |
| Description |
The modern game of chess we play in the United States was not introduced to China until the 19th century. This is an example of a 19th century stained Chinese chess set.
The set is made of delicately carved ivory on rounded pedestal bases. Half of the set is stained red. The pawns are warriors afoot, carrying thin spears. The rooks are elephants with flag topped howdahs, or elephant saddles, and small squat figures standing on their heads. The knights are on horseback and carry thin spears. The red bishops wear rounded hats and carry fans. The white bishops wear flat hats and carry bound reeds. The queens wear plain robes and carry fans. The red king wears an elaborate head piece and robe with an animal mask decorating the front, and carries a sword in one hand and its holder in the other. The white king wears a richly decorated robe and rounded hat, and carries a fan. |
| Material |
Ivory |
| Object ID |
1943.02.01 |
| Object Name |
Game |
|
