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Chessmen (32)

19th century
Not on view
The silver king is Napoleon (1769–1821), the silver bishop a French grenadier. The black king is Frederick the Great of Prussia (1712–1786) with his famous walking stick; the black bishop is a Prussian grenadier in a uniform combining eighteenth and nineteenth century features. The queens are crowned, but not otherwise particularized. The pawns are in civilian, not military, dress. The theme of the opposing sides in this set is anachronistic, as Napoleon and Frederick were not contemporaries. Noteworthy for the small scale of the figures, the front row pieces gaining importance from the height of the bases.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Chessmen (32)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: German
  • Medium: Iron, white and black
  • Dimensions: Height (each king): 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm);
    Height (each pawn): 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
  • Classification: Chess Sets
  • Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953
  • Object Number: 53.71.55a–p, aa–pp
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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