German, Cologne, 12th century

There is wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age, there is a particular area of wear to the top right edge of the ivory. A split runs down the centre of the ivory.
"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."

Games pieces such as the present ivory, were used in the game of draughts.  Twelth-century draughtsmen often represented playful mythological motifs of animals and fantastic beasts adopting the same popular subjects used in contemporary sculpture and manuscripts.  The representation of a hippocampus on a draughtsman however, is exceedingly rare.  There is a comparable games piece in the Victoria and Albert Museum, which represents a a man riding a griffin.  Goldschmidt opined that the V & A draughtsman were once part of a set, together with pieces in Florence and Schloss Wolfegg.

RELATED LITERATURE
A. Goldschmidt, Die Elfenbeinskulturen, vol. III; M. H. Longhurst, p. 10; M. H. Longhurst, Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1927, p. 82, pl. LXIII