A Chinese Export ivory "bust" chess set, Macao, early 19th century,
A Chinese Export ivory "bust" chess set,
Macao, early 19th century,
one side stained red, the other side left natural, Chinese versus the British, kings and queens as monarchs and consorts (white king as George III, white queen as Charlotte), bishops as mandarins or clergy, knights as horse, rooks as turrets with flags (the white rook with the Union Flag), pawns wearing caps, the Chinese pawns with pigtails,
the (white) king 12cm high, the pawn 7cm high.
Sold for £10,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • A finely carved chess set from Macao, or possibly Canton.

    Reference: Michael Mark. "Chessmen, Practical and Ornamental", Asprey, 1986, figure 48.

Category: Collectibles / Toys and Dolls


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