Anri
Anri Toriart Charlemagne model colored chess set
Anri Toriart Charlemagne model colored chess set
This collector’s set was manufactured by Anri Toriart in Italy at the end of the 20th century.
The pieces come with their original board and box, which contains two storage trays to hold each piece.
The king stands 9 cm tall and its base is 2.7 cm wide. The pawns are 6 cm tall.
The board measures 43.8 x 43.8 x 1.2 cm
The pieces were crafted using a composite material invented by Anri called “sculptite.” It consists of resin mixed with wood sawdust.
The pieces were then meticulously painted one by one by hand. They are mounted on turned maple wood bases with felt bottoms.
A highly artistic model with an original design.
With their rounded shapes and the touches of bright colors that decorate them, these pieces manage to evoke a childlike universe despite their sophistication. In this way, they differ from the seriousness and heaviness generally encountered in the world of valuable chess pieces, which emphasize very adult dimensions such as gravity, abstraction, or nobility.
The designer of this set did not forget that it is also a toy and incorporated this dimension into the composition.
Looking at Anri’s Charlemagne set, one has the impression of looking at a toy from an ancient and bygone era that might have been designed for a young Prince.
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nigri
Nigri Chinese Imperial Chess Set
Nigri Chinese Imperial Chess Set
Nigri chess set themed around the Chinese imperial dynasties. It is a fairly large model.
The king is 11.3 cm and the pawns 8 cm.
The case measures 49 x 49 x 5.5 cm.
The board measures 46 x 46 cm.
Composed of 32 pieces made with resin and marble powder from the Carrara quarries.
Each piece is finished and hand-painted by master craftsmen. The entire manufacturing process takes place in Italy, in the province of Lucca.
The Nigri signature is present on the back of the king.
The varnish and paint on this set give it a different look from the usual Nigri sets; the pieces almost resemble ceramic.
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asian theme
Giant Chess Set - Imperial Japanese Dynasties
Giant Chess Set – Imperial Japanese Dynasties
This chess set is of a very large size and great finesse.
The king measures 22.3 cm with a 6.4 cm base. The pawns measure 12 cm with 5.2 cm bases.
The set is not only large but highly detailed and sophisticated. The pieces were designed on the theme of Imperial Japan. They were crafted from a blend of resin and stone powder, and fixed onto purple-colored wooden bases.
The pieces represent figures from Imperial Japan, including the emperor, dressed in traditional Sokutai and wearing a kanmuri. He is accompanied by his wife, war advisors, knights, and ancient rooks.
One will notice the complexity and richness of the costumes and facial expressions, particularly those of the emperor and empress. The highly aesthetic design of the horses and the elaborate pose of the knights riding them.
It appears to have been made in Greece by “The Pegasus Workshop of Statue Art.” The information is not completely verifiable as the set is not stamped.
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egyptian theme
Veronese chess set – Ancient Egypt theme
Veronese chess set – Ancient Egypt theme
A Veronese chess set with pieces made from stone powder and resin, hand-painted with a niceattention to detail.
The words “hand-painted” appear on the game’s storage box.
The pieces go with a wooden board with polished and varnished edges.
The set was designed with an Ancient Egypt theme and features figures from the Egyptian pantheon.
The king measures 8.5 cm. The pieces are felted.
The board measures 39.5 x 39.5 cm.
The shapes and colors are very harmonious, as is the interplay of colors between the pieces and the board.
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european theme
Chess set made in resin, wood and glass - Battle of Waterloo
Chess set made in resin, wood and glass – Battle of Waterloo
A very original and rather boldly crafted set.
It depicts a fairly classic theme: the Battle of Waterloo and the confrontation between Napoleon and Wellington’s British troops. With Napoleon Bonaparte accompanied by his wife Josephine facing Arthur Wellesley of Wellington and his wife, Duchess Catherine Wellesley.
But despite its relatively common theme the game is very original in his design and composition.
The pieces are made entirely of resin, including their bases, which give the impression of being made of metal but are actually painted resin.
The board has a wooden frame covered in gilding and decorated with carved motifs on its outline.
Its checkerboard is green and white, and a glass plate is affixed to it.
The board measures 46.5 x 46.5 x 4 cm.
The king is 11.7 cm high.
The richness of the colors with the board and the outfits of the characters, their reflections on the glass plate, as well as the depth between the frame of the board, the patterns that dot it and the pieces on its checkerboard create a strong visual impression when looking at the game. Note that the pieces of the two sets are different from each other.