A very good mid-20th century Nigerian chess set by J. D. Akeredolu
Probably carved thorn and ebonised thorn, each piece possibly depicting members of the Fulani people, the kings as seated tribal chiefs wearing turbans and holding staffs, the queens with elaborate hairstyles and wearing rows of necklaces, the bishops as tribal elders wearing turbans, the knights as horsemen with long shields and wearing fez-like headdress, the rooks as thatched huts and the pawns as seated tribesmen, reading, every piece signed 'J. D. Akeredolu' on the base and incised 'Owo', knights lacking weapons, king 7cm, pawn 5cm, with the original hardwood box decorated with geometric motifs, the lid carved with a roundel depicting the king and queen, signed, 26cm. (2)