Antiques PR Publicity Announcements News and Info
Antiques PR Publicity Announcements News and Info

Bonhams Chess Games and Cards Sale

A selection of intricate and varied Chess sets from around the world will be offered by Bonhams in the Chess, Games and Cards sale taking place on January 17th 2011 at Bonhams Knightsbridge.

From Europe a very rare, 300yr old south German, ivory and ebony figural chess set is estimated to sell for £15,000 – £20,000. Made circa 1700, the King and Queen are dressed in 17th -18th century interpretations of mediaeval dress and the pawns are dressed in baggy breeches and flared bottomed coats.

A French ivory “bust” chess set, circa 1780, based on images of the Europeans and Moors is estimated to sell for £7,000-9,000.

East versus West can be seen in one of the highlights of the sale from Asia: a Cantonese chess set made in 1820. King George III and Queen Charlotte are represented in the white figures, with bishops as clergy and knights as horsemen, whilst the Chinese Emperor and Empress, with bishops as mandarins and rooks as elephants with flags are represented as the red figures. All the pieces have been mounted with decorative glass “gems” and the set is estimated at £3,000 – 5,000.

A 1950s, Tribal African hardwood chess set from Makondi is estimated to sell for £200-300. The chieftain Kings and Queens bearing cooking pots on their heads, all have tribal markings on their faces. The unusual ensemble includes the bishops as witch doctors, knights as giraffes, rooks as tribal huts and pawns as tribesmen. A similar set from Nigeria circa 1950 is also estimated to sell for £200-300.

From the Americas, an Ecuadorian metal, folklore chess set is estimated to sell for £500-700. The Kings represent Atahualpa, the legendary last King of the Inca Empire and the Queens as his wife, Pacha. Traditional huts, llamas and Ecuadorian Indians also make up this interesting 20th century set.

www.bonhams.com/chess

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