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Chess set

1937
Not on view
The pieces, representing the two sides in the Italian invasion of Ethopia in 1935–36, were identified by the maker. The Italian king is Benito Mussolini, the queen Rome. The bishops are Italian standards. Marshall Pietro Badoglio and General Rodolfo Graziani are the knights. Rooks are armored tanks, and the pawns are infantrymen, wearing black shirts. For the Ethopian side, the king is the Emperor Haile Selassie, the queen the Empress Manin. Bishops are again standards, and the knights are Ras Desta Demtu, the son-in-law of the Emperor, and General Tecle Hawariate. The Ethopian rooks are huts, and pawns are barefoot spear-throwers. A pottery board is en suite, with black and white glazed squares, mounted on wood.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Chess set
  • Maker: Paola Wahl Cortesi
  • Date: 1937
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Pottery, glazed
  • Dimensions: Height (each king): 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm);
    Overall (board): 16 5/8 × 16 5/8 in. (42.2 × 42.2 cm)
  • Classification: Chess Sets
  • Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953
  • Object Number: 53.71.88a–p, aa–pp, ddd, eee
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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