- 93
A rare Samanid part chess-set, Nishapur, 10th/11th century or earlier
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- ivory
comprising sixteen pieces composed of ivory, the Kings and Queens as stylised 'animal' figures, the knights and rooks also in stylised form, the small pawns of abstract form with ball-head terminals
Provenance
Ex-Collection Lothar Schmid (1928-2013)
Literature
J. Petzold, Das königliche Spiel. Die Kulturgeschichte des Schachs, Stuttgart – Leipzig 1987, pp.28-9, no. 7.
Condition
Most of the pieces with some form of restoration, including infill or re-attaching, some of the pieces with old collection labels to undersides, some ware to and abrasion to surface, minor scratches to surface, patches of discoloration and minor encrustation, 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
To find an almost complete chess set of this early period is extremely rare, making this example an important addition to the knowledge and study on the evolution of the game of chess.
The origins of the game of chess are traced etymologically to the Indian subcontinent, from where the Sanskrit ‘chaturanga’ would have later been adapted into Persian, becoming ‘shatranj’, although no early chess pieces have yet been excavated in the Subcontinent.
Quickly becoming the most popular indoor game of Abbasid Baghdad, chess spread to the Levant, North Africa and the Byzantine Empire via the Islamic conquests. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries chess was played only in noble and royal circles, and so the sets were often made from luxury materials such as ivory and rock crystal such as some of the examples in this group. The game is mentioned in writings from the period, notably by Firdausi (934-1020) who describes the game as one which came to Persia from India.
The poet Omar Khayyam (1048-1131), born in Nishapur, lyrically compares the game of chess to that of destiny:
"Tis all a chequer-board of nights and days
Where Destiny with men for pieces plays:
Hither and tither moves, and mates and slays,
And one by one back in the closet lays"
Whereas individual chess pieces of this form and from such an early period are known, complete chess sets are practically non-existent, as highlighted by Dr. Thomas Thomsen, President for the last twenty years of Chess Collectors International: "In my fourty years’ experience, I am not aware of any other chess set from this period".
The origins of the game of chess are traced etymologically to the Indian subcontinent, from where the Sanskrit ‘chaturanga’ would have later been adapted into Persian, becoming ‘shatranj’, although no early chess pieces have yet been excavated in the Subcontinent.
Quickly becoming the most popular indoor game of Abbasid Baghdad, chess spread to the Levant, North Africa and the Byzantine Empire via the Islamic conquests. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries chess was played only in noble and royal circles, and so the sets were often made from luxury materials such as ivory and rock crystal such as some of the examples in this group. The game is mentioned in writings from the period, notably by Firdausi (934-1020) who describes the game as one which came to Persia from India.
The poet Omar Khayyam (1048-1131), born in Nishapur, lyrically compares the game of chess to that of destiny:
"Tis all a chequer-board of nights and days
Where Destiny with men for pieces plays:
Hither and tither moves, and mates and slays,
And one by one back in the closet lays"
Whereas individual chess pieces of this form and from such an early period are known, complete chess sets are practically non-existent, as highlighted by Dr. Thomas Thomsen, President for the last twenty years of Chess Collectors International: "In my fourty years’ experience, I am not aware of any other chess set from this period".