- 101
Two chess pieces, a 'Bishop' and a 'Knight', probably Nishapur, Persia, circa 12th century
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- bone and ceramic
The bishop composed of ivory with two protrusions at top, the ceramic knight with turquoise glaze, of stylised animal form
Literature
Both Published:
W. Seipel, Spielwelten der Kunst. Kunstkammer spiele (exh. cat.), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 21 May - 2 August, 1998, pp.110-114, cat. nos.39 and 41.
The Bishop also published in:
H. Höllander, ‘“Abstrahiert” und “Abstrakt”. Zur Deutung der sogenannten arabisch-islamischen Schachfiguren’, in: Ausst.-Kat. Wiesbaden, 1997, 37f.
The Knight also published in:
J. Petzold, Das königliche Spiel. Die Kulturgeschichte des Schachs, Stuttgart – Leipzig 1987, Abb. 7b.
A. Contadini, 'Ivory Chess Pieces, Draughtsmen and Dice', in: J.W. Allen (Hg.), Islamic Art in the Ashmolean – Oxford, Oxford, 1995, no.10.
H. Höllander, ‘“Abstrahiert” und “Abstrakt”. Zur Deutung der sogenannten arabisch-islamischen Schachfiguren’, in: Ausst.-Kat. Wiesbaden, 1997, no.37f.
W. Seipel, Spielwelten der Kunst. Kunstkammer spiele (exh. cat.), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 21 May - 2 August, 1998, pp.110-114, cat. nos.39 and 41.
The Bishop also published in:
H. Höllander, ‘“Abstrahiert” und “Abstrakt”. Zur Deutung der sogenannten arabisch-islamischen Schachfiguren’, in: Ausst.-Kat. Wiesbaden, 1997, 37f.
The Knight also published in:
J. Petzold, Das königliche Spiel. Die Kulturgeschichte des Schachs, Stuttgart – Leipzig 1987, Abb. 7b.
A. Contadini, 'Ivory Chess Pieces, Draughtsmen and Dice', in: J.W. Allen (Hg.), Islamic Art in the Ashmolean – Oxford, Oxford, 1995, no.10.
H. Höllander, ‘“Abstrahiert” und “Abstrakt”. Zur Deutung der sogenannten arabisch-islamischen Schachfiguren’, in: Ausst.-Kat. Wiesbaden, 1997, no.37f.
Condition
The ivory piece (Bishop) with old surface abrasions filled in and touched up, the turquoise glazed (Knight) with iridescence, minor chip to one of extremities of ear and on base, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
These two pieces present good examples of the bishop and knight forms existing on chess sets in twelfth century Persia. Chess pieces with a stylised, abstract design are characteristic of Muslim chess pieces, these forms being copied later on in Europe, or attributed to Muslim craftsmen working on European commissions. The two small protuberances on the Bishop would have originally been intended as an elephant's tusks, whereas the Knight, with its stylised animal form, now resembling a mouse, would most probably have represented a horse.
Similar examples are in a number of Museum collections, notably the Germanische National Museum in Nuremberg, which has a part chess-set of the same form, and in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (inv. no. 1971.193a-ff).
Similar examples are in a number of Museum collections, notably the Germanische National Museum in Nuremberg, which has a part chess-set of the same form, and in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (inv. no. 1971.193a-ff).