Chessmen (32 pieces)
As is often the case with Indian sets made for foreigners, the principal pieces are in the same style on each side, but the pawns are differentiated. The kings, the ministers, and three of the camel-riders (bishops) have an attendant by the left foreleg of the elephant or camel on which they ride. The ministers' elephants hold lions in their trunks. On either side of their tall howdahs, the kings' and the ministers' elephants carry cannon. The rooks are elephants, as they often are in Hindu sets, and these hold an oversize horseshoe.
Artwork Details
- Title: Chessmen (32 pieces)
- Date: 19th century
- Culture: Indian
- Medium: Ivory
- Dimensions: Height (each king): 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm);
Height (each pawn): 2 in. (5.1 cm) - Classification: Chess Sets
- Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948
- Object Number: 48.174.94a–p, aa–pp
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Indian
19th century
Indian
19th century
Indian
late 19th century
Indian
1800
Indian
19th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.