East Asia
Noble Cantonese Burmese bone chess set 1820 – 1850
Noble Cantonese Burmese bone chess set 1820 – 1850
A very ancient piece, these extremely rare chess sets were produced in the mid-19th century between the years 1820 and 1850. They are called the “Burmese model” not because of their origin, but because of the Burmese influence found in their aesthetic. These sets were crafted in noble bone by Chinese artisans from the Canton region and were often sold and exported in the city of Macau.
The king measures 9.2 cm with a 3.2 cm base
The pawns measure 4.8 cm
The finishes and details on the pieces are unimaginably advanced, and one must use a magnifying glass to truly perceive the extent of the artisans’ meticulous work and the number of microscopic finishes present across the entire surface of the pieces.
The two parts of the bishops’ mitre, for example, are separated by an incredibly thin space; one could barely fit a sheet of paper through it.
The floral decorations on the lower spheres of the king and queen feature great relief and depth; they stand out beautifully and prominently, carved with immense refinement.
The heads of the pawns are very subtly carved as a blooming flower with opening petals.
The artisans set themselves all sorts of technical challenges in the creation of these pieces and were very bold and inspired in their artistic design, drawing inspiration from nature, Burmese art, and the West.
On their small surface area, one finds such a quantity of details, patterns, and symbols that they seem to contain a small universe, decipherable with a magnifying glass on their surfaces.
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China
Hong Kong
Japan
Southeast Asia
Noble Indian Bone Chess Set on Marble Board
Noble Indian Bone Chess Set on Marble Board
A precious and luxurious chess set.
The pieces were carved in India from noble bone and display great sophistication. They are fine, slender, and decorated with pierced spheres and fluted collars. The pieces were crafted in the second half of the 20th century.
The board consists of a marble chessboard surrounded by a wooden frame and elevated on 4 feet.
The king measures 9.4 cm in height with a 3.7 cm base
The pieces are screwed onto their bases; their lower parts are carved in spirals to screw into them. The bases are felted.
The board measures 38 x 38 x 4 cm.
This set of great refinement bears witness to the talent and mastery of Indian craftsmen of that era.
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Indonesia
Philippines
Vietnam
South Asia
Indonesian chess set with Tampak Siring pedestal base
Indonesian chess set with Tampak Siring pedestal base
A magnificent Indonesian chess set from Tampak Siring on the island of Bali, Indonesia, made by the sculptor Mokirab.
The pedestal board is signed with the artist’s name and the object’s provenance; the signature is also present on one of the pieces.
This item was hand-carved from Champaca wood, a precious and exotic wood.
This distinctive dark wood with reddish highlights originates from the Indomalayan ecozone.
The game table measures 45.7 x 45.7 x 15 cm.
The king in the set measures 12 cm.
The finishing on the pieces is exceptionally refined; I have rarely seen Indonesian pieces this beautiful. They feature many polished surfaces and wood curves that are quite unusual for a Balinese set. As these sets are generally made up of a multitude of protruding details.
The originality of this set also lies in the knights, which are depicted as highly detailed horses with polished bodies. This is rare for an Indonesian set, in which horses are not usually found and where the knights are ordinarily represented by Garuda eagles.
Bali is the island of the gods in Indonesia; craftsmanship there is rooted in religious practice and an idol cult blending Hinduism and Buddhism.