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Anri Versailles Chess Set
The rare Anri Versailles Chess Set, with beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted figural pieces. The King stands over 5-1/2 inches tall with a 1-5/8″ diameter base. These finely hand carved Anri Chessmen are crafted from Alpine Maple and are hand-painted. The bases are lightly weighted and the pieces are felted.
The Anri Versailles chess pieces are housed in their large Alpine Maple hinge-top box with a removable compartmented tray. The Anri Versailles Chess set design was produced between 1961 and 1973. The Anri Versailles chess set is one of the rarer of the ANRI chess products. Anri chessmen are 100% made in Italy for those who can appreciate the true value of these magnificent artistic chessmen.
Some Background.
In the late 19th century Alois Riffeser traveled to the major European cities to sell the wood carved figurines and toys which were bought from the farmers of the Gröden Valley located in the Dolomite region of the Alps. This area in South Tyrol was part of Austria-Hungary at the time until being annexed to Italy in 1919.
In 1912 Josef Anton Riffeser founded the ANRI Company, which he named using the first two letters of his first and last name. After World War I, where he was in a prisoner of war camp in Siberia, he formulated his plan for a woodcarving company. He created his own models which he distributed successfully, mainly in the Alpine region.
When Anton Adolf Riffeser took over in 1945, he transformed the ANRI company, adopting a more industrial model which allowed for better quality control and distribution to new markets. He was followed by Ernst Riffeser who was able to enlist the services of many well-known artists including Juan Ferràndiz, Sarah Kay and others. The ANRI company today is run by Thomas Riffeser, and still remains in the same family.
The wood art tradition has a long history in Val Gardena, Italy. The tradition of woodcarving dates back to the XVII century, when farmers started producing wood toys and utensils during the long winter season. The peasants than used to sell the items at spring markets. Part of the autonomous region Alto Adige/Southern Tyrol in Italy, the Val Gardena is known for its ancient romantic language, its skiing facilities – and its old tradition of woodcarving. The ANRI company’s chess sets from the 1950s through the 1980s were produced in this region and have gained collectors status, thanks to their unparalleled quality.
The Anri workshops are renowned all over the world because the wonderful wooden sculptures and statues made by the famous local sculptors and carvers.
Description by Frank Camaratta.
The Anri Versailles chess pieces are housed in their large Alpine Maple hinge-top box with a removable compartmented tray. The Anri Versailles Chess set design was produced between 1961 and 1973. The Anri Versailles chess set is one of the rarer of the ANRI chess products. Anri chessmen are 100% made in Italy for those who can appreciate the true value of these magnificent artistic chessmen.
Some Background.
In the late 19th century Alois Riffeser traveled to the major European cities to sell the wood carved figurines and toys which were bought from the farmers of the Gröden Valley located in the Dolomite region of the Alps. This area in South Tyrol was part of Austria-Hungary at the time until being annexed to Italy in 1919.
In 1912 Josef Anton Riffeser founded the ANRI Company, which he named using the first two letters of his first and last name. After World War I, where he was in a prisoner of war camp in Siberia, he formulated his plan for a woodcarving company. He created his own models which he distributed successfully, mainly in the Alpine region.
When Anton Adolf Riffeser took over in 1945, he transformed the ANRI company, adopting a more industrial model which allowed for better quality control and distribution to new markets. He was followed by Ernst Riffeser who was able to enlist the services of many well-known artists including Juan Ferràndiz, Sarah Kay and others. The ANRI company today is run by Thomas Riffeser, and still remains in the same family.
The wood art tradition has a long history in Val Gardena, Italy. The tradition of woodcarving dates back to the XVII century, when farmers started producing wood toys and utensils during the long winter season. The peasants than used to sell the items at spring markets. Part of the autonomous region Alto Adige/Southern Tyrol in Italy, the Val Gardena is known for its ancient romantic language, its skiing facilities – and its old tradition of woodcarving. The ANRI company’s chess sets from the 1950s through the 1980s were produced in this region and have gained collectors status, thanks to their unparalleled quality.
The Anri workshops are renowned all over the world because the wonderful wooden sculptures and statues made by the famous local sculptors and carvers.
Description by Frank Camaratta.
Large Sri Lankan or Indian Set
This set was originally purchased in 1999 in Sri Lanka. This is a most unusual set, as the knights are peacocks and the rest of the pieces are deity pieces, e.g. small Ganesha figures for pawns. The pieces are made of local hardwoods. King size 14.5 cm, pawns 9 cm.
Hinduism is prevalent in Sri Lanka as well so there’s that.
Peacock is the national bird of India. Pawns represent Hindu God Ganesha, said to be the remover of obstacles. What’s shown as the queen is another God Murugan/Skanda (brother of Ganesha, both sons of Shiva)
Also, an interesting connection that could explain the peacocks- Hindu Gods have celestial vehicles/animals and the Peacock is the vehicle of Murugan. The Bishops look like it’s a devotee or priest singing a hymn in praise of god, with the raised right hand. The rooks look like a structure in Hindu temples.
In conclusion, a set themed on Hinduism carved in Sri Lanka or India. Sri Lanka is plausible considering it was purchased there.
Thanks to Holger Langer and Vikhram Ravi for the description.
Hinduism is prevalent in Sri Lanka as well so there’s that.
Peacock is the national bird of India. Pawns represent Hindu God Ganesha, said to be the remover of obstacles. What’s shown as the queen is another God Murugan/Skanda (brother of Ganesha, both sons of Shiva)
Also, an interesting connection that could explain the peacocks- Hindu Gods have celestial vehicles/animals and the Peacock is the vehicle of Murugan. The Bishops look like it’s a devotee or priest singing a hymn in praise of god, with the raised right hand. The rooks look like a structure in Hindu temples.
In conclusion, a set themed on Hinduism carved in Sri Lanka or India. Sri Lanka is plausible considering it was purchased there.
Thanks to Holger Langer and Vikhram Ravi for the description.
Eastern European or Russian cartoonish Set
A handcarved set made from a lighter wood, perhaps linden wood or some sort of pine wood. The pieces are large. The set is somewhat cartoonish, but again very unusual. All pieces except the knights (horses with a wide grin!) are individually carved, no two pieces alike. The set came in a large box with individual compartments for the pieces and with a chess board when opened. Unfortunately, I do not know anything about the set, in particular not where it was made. Looks Eastern European or Russian to me, but I am not sure. Any help to identify it would be appreciated.
Bavarian Handcarved Chess Set, ca. 1930-1960
A special hand-carved chess set from Bavaria, which bears the signature of the Upper Bavarian carvers from Oberammergau and is particularly similar to the style of Edo Lang, who often made caricature-like figures in traditional costumes.
The pieces are carved from wood. The height of the king is 10 cm. In most chess sets, the knights are the most spectacular pieces. Here it is the other way round. With the exception of the knights, all the pieces are individual and different, only the knights are all carved in the same style.
The white king and queen wear traditional Bavarian costumes typical of the rural population. The black king with his fine frock coat and striped trousers looks more urban and bourgeois. The white rooks are square with pointed roofs, the black rooks are round. The bishops on the white side consist of a policeman with a club and a night watchman with a bell, both in matching uniforms. The black bishops are a postman with an envelope in his hand and a guard soldier with a drawn sabre in his right hand.
The pawns on both sides are so marvelous and individual that I photographed them separately. On the white side, there is a man with a pipe, a traveler with a suitcase, a hiker with a rucksack on his back, a farmer with a pig under his arm, a musician with an accordion and - in keeping with the Oktoberfest - a man in traditional costume with a beer mug in his hand, which is adorned with the ‘HB’ for the Munich Hofbräuhaus. On the black side, there is a farmer carrying a chicken, a hunter with a shouldered rifle, a farmer with a large turnip in his hand and a man with a toothache, recognizable by the cloth wrapped around his cheek. One of the most beautiful hand-carved sets I have ever seen from southern Germany.
Description and photos by Holger Langer.
The pieces are carved from wood. The height of the king is 10 cm. In most chess sets, the knights are the most spectacular pieces. Here it is the other way round. With the exception of the knights, all the pieces are individual and different, only the knights are all carved in the same style.
The white king and queen wear traditional Bavarian costumes typical of the rural population. The black king with his fine frock coat and striped trousers looks more urban and bourgeois. The white rooks are square with pointed roofs, the black rooks are round. The bishops on the white side consist of a policeman with a club and a night watchman with a bell, both in matching uniforms. The black bishops are a postman with an envelope in his hand and a guard soldier with a drawn sabre in his right hand.
The pawns on both sides are so marvelous and individual that I photographed them separately. On the white side, there is a man with a pipe, a traveler with a suitcase, a hiker with a rucksack on his back, a farmer with a pig under his arm, a musician with an accordion and - in keeping with the Oktoberfest - a man in traditional costume with a beer mug in his hand, which is adorned with the ‘HB’ for the Munich Hofbräuhaus. On the black side, there is a farmer carrying a chicken, a hunter with a shouldered rifle, a farmer with a large turnip in his hand and a man with a toothache, recognizable by the cloth wrapped around his cheek. One of the most beautiful hand-carved sets I have ever seen from southern Germany.
Description and photos by Holger Langer.
Exotic Teak Wood Buddha Chess Set from Bali, Indonesia
Exotic Indonesian Chess Set made from Teak Wood.
This is Hindu or Ramyana, Buddhist, and is highly unique
This is a big and very well-made set with moving parts on the Rooks that form a Rattle. The Kings are a 5" tall Buddha, and the Queens Cats!
A very unusual set from Bali, made of Teak. Probably only a handful made between 1940 and 1960. All pieces are different, even the pawns.
This is Hindu or Ramyana, Buddhist, and is highly unique
This is a big and very well-made set with moving parts on the Rooks that form a Rattle. The Kings are a 5" tall Buddha, and the Queens Cats!
A very unusual set from Bali, made of Teak. Probably only a handful made between 1940 and 1960. All pieces are different, even the pawns.
OOAK Large Kachina Dolls Chess Set
Handcrafted by American Indians artists of the Southwest using materials indigenous to that area. Mainly carved of roots of the cotton-tree and dressed and decorated using sheep skin, feathers and more. Features many aspects of life, art and culture of Hopi, Navajo and Zuni Indians of today and ancient past. Including figures such as Sunface, Mudhead, Crow, Owl, Wolf, Bear, Broadface, etc.
Kachina dolls are figures carved, typically from cottonwood root, by Hopi people to instruct young girls and new brides about katsinas or katsinam, the immortal beings that bring rain, control other aspects of the natural world and society, and act as messengers between humans and the spirit world.
Colorful, faithfully guardians of life and culture. Several pieces are double; the Bear, Wolf and Owl have removable head-masks and under there is a human. Signed by individual artists.
King is 13" (33 cm)
Kachina dolls are figures carved, typically from cottonwood root, by Hopi people to instruct young girls and new brides about katsinas or katsinam, the immortal beings that bring rain, control other aspects of the natural world and society, and act as messengers between humans and the spirit world.
Colorful, faithfully guardians of life and culture. Several pieces are double; the Bear, Wolf and Owl have removable head-masks and under there is a human. Signed by individual artists.
King is 13" (33 cm)
African "Bakuba" Tribal set, Congo, Mid 20th Century
The pieces depicting the court of Kata-Mbula, the bishops as symbols of the Senufo Secret Society, the knights as double-headed crocodiles representing divine protection of domestic animals, the rooks as ritual cups, and the pawns as spirits.
The king -- 5½in. (14cm.) high; the pawn -- 2 3/8in. (6cm.) high.
Together with an African ebony and hardwood 'Makondi' tribal chess set, mid 20th century, the knights modelled as giraffe heads, the king -- 3in.(7.5cm.) high; the pawn -- 2¼in. (5.7cm.) high; an African carved ebony and hardwood Madagascan tribal chess set, mid 20th century, the knights modelled as bulls, the king -- 3 1/8in. (7.8cm.) high; the pawn -- 1½in. (3cm.) high (3)
https://www.christies.com/lot/an-african-carved-ebony-and-hardwood-bakuba-4772482/
The king -- 5½in. (14cm.) high; the pawn -- 2 3/8in. (6cm.) high.
Together with an African ebony and hardwood 'Makondi' tribal chess set, mid 20th century, the knights modelled as giraffe heads, the king -- 3in.(7.5cm.) high; the pawn -- 2¼in. (5.7cm.) high; an African carved ebony and hardwood Madagascan tribal chess set, mid 20th century, the knights modelled as bulls, the king -- 3 1/8in. (7.8cm.) high; the pawn -- 1½in. (3cm.) high (3)
https://www.christies.com/lot/an-african-carved-ebony-and-hardwood-bakuba-4772482/
Russian Nautical theme
Russian carving in high gloss finish. Nautical theme.
King is Poseidon sitting on the thrown with metal Trident (the legendary weapon seen in the hands of the sea god);
Queen is Sea Goddess (nymph, mermaid);
Bishop is Shark/sward fish;
Knight is Seahorse;
Rook is Ship
Pawns are Dolphins riding the waves.
Likely Pine, one side light the other darkened.
King is 5" (12.5 cm)
King is Poseidon sitting on the thrown with metal Trident (the legendary weapon seen in the hands of the sea god);
Queen is Sea Goddess (nymph, mermaid);
Bishop is Shark/sward fish;
Knight is Seahorse;
Rook is Ship
Pawns are Dolphins riding the waves.
Likely Pine, one side light the other darkened.
King is 5" (12.5 cm)
Turkish Chess Set, second half of the 20th century
A Turkish figural set made of meerschaum, one side natural, ie light white, and the other side stained in a light brown tone. The king is depicted as an oriental ruler with a turban. The queen is depicted as the ruler's vizier. The bishops are depicted in the form of a kneeling elephant with raised trunk, the knights as a rearing horse. The rooks with masonry and spiral corner pillars. The pawns as kneeling subjects with fez. The king size is 10 cm.
Since meerschaum can be worked well, there are numerous carvers in Turkey who produce very fine works from this material, including ornamental chess sets. Albeit not truly common, such sets are rarely valuable compared to other figural sets, but have an attractiveness all of their own and can be acquired for reasonable prices.
Meerschaum is a mineral similar to alabaster, also known as sepiolite. Chemically, it is a magnesium silicate that belongs to the class of phyllosilicates. It is formed by the hydrothermal transformation of serpentinite. Sepiolite has a relatively low density of approx. 2.26 g/cm³ for minerals, but is also very porous, which is why it contains a lot of air (similar to pumice).
Meerschaum is found in numerous places around the world, but only in large quantities in a few locations. The best-known deposit, which is also the source of most products made from meerschaum, is the province of Eskişehir in the Anatolian part of Turkey. Meerschaum, called Lületaş in the local language, has been mined there since the early 18th century from deposits up to 150m underground. Mining is done in blocks, which is why the meerschaum from there is also called block meerschaum. It is extremely light and has a very white, sometimes slightly pinkish or yellowish color. Other larger deposits are found in the Amboseli Basin in Tanzania, which is why the material extracted there is also called Amboseli meerschaum, but it is considered to be of poorer quality because it is heavier and of a rather gray color. In addition, there is a kind of "second hand" meerschaum, the massamer meerschaum or pressed meerschaum, which is obtained from the remains of the processing of block meerschaum by washing, grinding and mixing it with lime and binder and drying it. The material obtained in this way can then be used again to cut blocks for further processing, but these have a much lower degree of purity because of the lime and binder.
When wet, meerschaum is easy to shape and work with, but when dry it is hard and extremely heat-resistant, making it particularly popular in pipe production. Pipe bowls made of meerschaum are - unlike pipe bowls made of wood - not only resistant to excessive heating, but also act as a natural filter due to the porosity of the raw material.
According to legend, the name "meerschaum" (sea foam) is derived from the strong porosity and the associated low weight, which makes meerschaum lighter than water in some cases, the literal translation of the Latin term "spuma maris". This was coined in 1788 by Abraham Gottlob Werner, according to whom it was initially assumed that the white sepiolite floating on the water surface was hardened spray. However, this is probably a (persistent) rumor, because according to other sources, the name goes back to the supply of Austrian pipe manufacturers with meerschaum from Turkey and is nothing more than the Germanized version of the Levantine trade name "Mertscavon". The name sepiolite was coined by the German geologist Ernst Friedrich Glocker, who was able to prove in 1847 that meerschaum was formed from deposits of fossil shells and fish cartilage.
Description and photos by Holger Langer
Since meerschaum can be worked well, there are numerous carvers in Turkey who produce very fine works from this material, including ornamental chess sets. Albeit not truly common, such sets are rarely valuable compared to other figural sets, but have an attractiveness all of their own and can be acquired for reasonable prices.
Meerschaum is a mineral similar to alabaster, also known as sepiolite. Chemically, it is a magnesium silicate that belongs to the class of phyllosilicates. It is formed by the hydrothermal transformation of serpentinite. Sepiolite has a relatively low density of approx. 2.26 g/cm³ for minerals, but is also very porous, which is why it contains a lot of air (similar to pumice).
Meerschaum is found in numerous places around the world, but only in large quantities in a few locations. The best-known deposit, which is also the source of most products made from meerschaum, is the province of Eskişehir in the Anatolian part of Turkey. Meerschaum, called Lületaş in the local language, has been mined there since the early 18th century from deposits up to 150m underground. Mining is done in blocks, which is why the meerschaum from there is also called block meerschaum. It is extremely light and has a very white, sometimes slightly pinkish or yellowish color. Other larger deposits are found in the Amboseli Basin in Tanzania, which is why the material extracted there is also called Amboseli meerschaum, but it is considered to be of poorer quality because it is heavier and of a rather gray color. In addition, there is a kind of "second hand" meerschaum, the massamer meerschaum or pressed meerschaum, which is obtained from the remains of the processing of block meerschaum by washing, grinding and mixing it with lime and binder and drying it. The material obtained in this way can then be used again to cut blocks for further processing, but these have a much lower degree of purity because of the lime and binder.
When wet, meerschaum is easy to shape and work with, but when dry it is hard and extremely heat-resistant, making it particularly popular in pipe production. Pipe bowls made of meerschaum are - unlike pipe bowls made of wood - not only resistant to excessive heating, but also act as a natural filter due to the porosity of the raw material.
According to legend, the name "meerschaum" (sea foam) is derived from the strong porosity and the associated low weight, which makes meerschaum lighter than water in some cases, the literal translation of the Latin term "spuma maris". This was coined in 1788 by Abraham Gottlob Werner, according to whom it was initially assumed that the white sepiolite floating on the water surface was hardened spray. However, this is probably a (persistent) rumor, because according to other sources, the name goes back to the supply of Austrian pipe manufacturers with meerschaum from Turkey and is nothing more than the Germanized version of the Levantine trade name "Mertscavon". The name sepiolite was coined by the German geologist Ernst Friedrich Glocker, who was able to prove in 1847 that meerschaum was formed from deposits of fossil shells and fish cartilage.
Description and photos by Holger Langer
Probably Russian Caricature set mid 20th Century
Vintage and rare set probably from 1930-1960. The material from which the pieces are made is a kind of compound. It looks similar to plaster, but lighter. It reminds me a little of salt dough, which means it could be a chess set made of an organic composite material. The figures were not produced in a mould, because there are too many differences in the details between the individual pieces for that.
This can be seen, for example, in the bishops, which all look different. It indicates that each individual sculpture was handmade. The pieces themselves resemble comic or cartoon characters from the 1930s or 1940s. However, I have not yet been able to find a specific template after which they were modelled. The kings are about 12.8 cm or 5" tall. The faces of the characters and their postures are heavily exaggerated, as can be seen from some of the detail shots, e.g. red cheeks, red lips, black outlined eyes etc. On the back, the kings have a large coin with a dollar sign at their feet. All in all, an extremely unusual collector's item.
Many thanks to Holger Langer for the photos and the description.
This can be seen, for example, in the bishops, which all look different. It indicates that each individual sculpture was handmade. The pieces themselves resemble comic or cartoon characters from the 1930s or 1940s. However, I have not yet been able to find a specific template after which they were modelled. The kings are about 12.8 cm or 5" tall. The faces of the characters and their postures are heavily exaggerated, as can be seen from some of the detail shots, e.g. red cheeks, red lips, black outlined eyes etc. On the back, the kings have a large coin with a dollar sign at their feet. All in all, an extremely unusual collector's item.
Many thanks to Holger Langer for the photos and the description.
Erzgebirge Set, mid 20th Century
A figural chess set made in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountain) region in South-East Germany in the second half of the 20th century. The pieces with a king size of 13.4 cm were carved with a lot of attention to detail in the traditional folk art style typical for this region from a rather light and soft wood, probably some type of pine.
One side with a light yellowish lacquer, the other side predominantly lacquered in brown. The kings with an upright crown and large crosses in the Borstendorf style, wearing a robe and holding a long sword to the ground. The queens with a gown and wavy hair. The bishops as messengers holding a parchment (which indicates their connection to the German chess tradition in which the bishop is called "Läufer", which in this case means messenger). The knights as rearing horses. The rooks as multi tiered towers with windows and brickwork ornaments.
The highlight are the pawns, which are shown as heavily bearded and grim looking armed peasants, each of which is made in a different style and carrying some kind of weapon, including axes, daggers, maces and scythes.
Many thanks to Holger Langer for the photos and the description.
One side with a light yellowish lacquer, the other side predominantly lacquered in brown. The kings with an upright crown and large crosses in the Borstendorf style, wearing a robe and holding a long sword to the ground. The queens with a gown and wavy hair. The bishops as messengers holding a parchment (which indicates their connection to the German chess tradition in which the bishop is called "Läufer", which in this case means messenger). The knights as rearing horses. The rooks as multi tiered towers with windows and brickwork ornaments.
The highlight are the pawns, which are shown as heavily bearded and grim looking armed peasants, each of which is made in a different style and carrying some kind of weapon, including axes, daggers, maces and scythes.
Many thanks to Holger Langer for the photos and the description.
Vintage Figural Chess Set from Venezuela
OOAK, Charming, handmade porcelain chess set. Pieces represent two tribal figures in local customs. Even the cactus plants (Rooks) are different.
King 5.25" (13.3cm)
King 5.25" (13.3cm)
Vintage, OOAK, Artisan made, Yemenite figural Chess Set from Israel
This chess set is from mid 20th century made with love using multimedia materials such as cloth, gypsum, gemstones, metal ornaments. Handmade and painted. Each piece molded and has a unique expression with biblical motif. Signed by the artist Naomi.
King is 6.5" (16.5cm)
King is 6.5" (16.5cm)
Soviet Propaganda Porcelain Chessmen, Reds versus Whites
This is a rare and historically important Soviet Propaganda Porcelain Chessmen, also known as the Russian Reds versus Whites. The chess pieces are painted and gilt. The first run of these chess pieces was made at the porcelain produced by the Lomonosov Factory in St. Petersburg. The King stands 3.7″ tall. This version was likely made in St. Petersburg in the 1990s.
The Soviet Propaganda Chess set is an example of the propaganda porcelain produced by the State Porcelain Factory soon after the establishment of communism in Russia.in the years immediately following the 1917 Russian Revolution. The original Propaganda set was designed by two sisters who worked in the factory. Natalya Danko formed the figures and Yelena Danko painted them. Five versions of this set have since been identified as of this writing, including this set, sets marked 1921, 1923, 1925, and unidentified set, and the limited-edition Israeli version.
This set is a solid casting, like the 1925 and Israeli sets, not hollow, like the other versions. The pieces are marked on their undersides with the Soviet hammer and sickle mark, adjacent stylized crown.
The chess set has two very distinct armies. On the Communist side, the King is a blacksmith holding a sledgehammer; the Queen, a peasant woman carrying sheaves of wheat adorned with stars; Bishops are Russian soldiers, Knights are horses, Rooks are horse-headed boats, and the Pawns are female reapers holding sickles and sheaves of wheat.
On the Capitalist side: the King is represented as Death adorned with armor wearing an ermine-line cloak, the Queen, an allegory of Fortuna, holds a cornucopia brimming with gold coins; Bishops are officers of the Old Regime, Knights are horses, Rooks are boats with Pawns being suppressed workers or slaves bound in chains.
A Bit of History.
Previously the Imperial Factory until the Revolution in 1917, the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg produced propaganda sets like this from 1922 onward. As the Bolsheviks took power of the country, they wanted to make porcelain affordable for the masses. Only the upper-class were able to buy such luxuries before. The new designs also represented the communist agenda and were a form of propaganda. The Post Revolution factory produced porcelain with a propagandist slant and are often associated with Sergei Chekhonin, the factory Director of Artistic Production. Highly sought-after propagandist items like the busts of Engles and Marx and the figure of the ‘Red Army Soldier’ were soon followed by a series of small sculptures promoting the differences in ideologies. The offered set, designed by the sculptress Natalia Danko, circa 1922, reflect this popular propagandist sentiment which favored the Soviets. The Imperial Porcelain Factory has reissued several items designed by prominent Russian artists from the 1920s, inspired by the avant-garde. The largest and most expensive item in the new porcelain collection is the “Red and White” chess set.
Many thanks to Frank Camaratta for the description.
The Soviet Propaganda Chess set is an example of the propaganda porcelain produced by the State Porcelain Factory soon after the establishment of communism in Russia.in the years immediately following the 1917 Russian Revolution. The original Propaganda set was designed by two sisters who worked in the factory. Natalya Danko formed the figures and Yelena Danko painted them. Five versions of this set have since been identified as of this writing, including this set, sets marked 1921, 1923, 1925, and unidentified set, and the limited-edition Israeli version.
This set is a solid casting, like the 1925 and Israeli sets, not hollow, like the other versions. The pieces are marked on their undersides with the Soviet hammer and sickle mark, adjacent stylized crown.
The chess set has two very distinct armies. On the Communist side, the King is a blacksmith holding a sledgehammer; the Queen, a peasant woman carrying sheaves of wheat adorned with stars; Bishops are Russian soldiers, Knights are horses, Rooks are horse-headed boats, and the Pawns are female reapers holding sickles and sheaves of wheat.
On the Capitalist side: the King is represented as Death adorned with armor wearing an ermine-line cloak, the Queen, an allegory of Fortuna, holds a cornucopia brimming with gold coins; Bishops are officers of the Old Regime, Knights are horses, Rooks are boats with Pawns being suppressed workers or slaves bound in chains.
A Bit of History.
Previously the Imperial Factory until the Revolution in 1917, the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg produced propaganda sets like this from 1922 onward. As the Bolsheviks took power of the country, they wanted to make porcelain affordable for the masses. Only the upper-class were able to buy such luxuries before. The new designs also represented the communist agenda and were a form of propaganda. The Post Revolution factory produced porcelain with a propagandist slant and are often associated with Sergei Chekhonin, the factory Director of Artistic Production. Highly sought-after propagandist items like the busts of Engles and Marx and the figure of the ‘Red Army Soldier’ were soon followed by a series of small sculptures promoting the differences in ideologies. The offered set, designed by the sculptress Natalia Danko, circa 1922, reflect this popular propagandist sentiment which favored the Soviets. The Imperial Porcelain Factory has reissued several items designed by prominent Russian artists from the 1920s, inspired by the avant-garde. The largest and most expensive item in the new porcelain collection is the “Red and White” chess set.
Many thanks to Frank Camaratta for the description.
Ivan the Terrible by Oleg Raikis, 2024
Ivan IV Vasilyevich (1530 – 1584), commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was Grand Prince of Moscow and all Russia from 1533, and Tsar of all Russia from 1547 until his death in 1584. He was the first Russian monarch to be crowned as tsar.
The King is Ivan the Terrible.
The Queen is his first wife Anastasia Romanovna Zakharyina-Yurieva (he had at least 6 wifes).
The Bishop is a nobleman.
The Knight is a jester, a holy fool.
The Rook is a Tower of Kremlin.
The Pawn is oprichnik (a member of the Oprichnina, a bodyguard corps established by Ivan the Terrible).
The set was first made by Oleg in 1997. 5 sets from Mammoth Ivory have been made, this is the first and only copy of the set made from boxwood.
The king is 10cm.
The King is Ivan the Terrible.
The Queen is his first wife Anastasia Romanovna Zakharyina-Yurieva (he had at least 6 wifes).
The Bishop is a nobleman.
The Knight is a jester, a holy fool.
The Rook is a Tower of Kremlin.
The Pawn is oprichnik (a member of the Oprichnina, a bodyguard corps established by Ivan the Terrible).
The set was first made by Oleg in 1997. 5 sets from Mammoth Ivory have been made, this is the first and only copy of the set made from boxwood.
The king is 10cm.
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