A South German brass- and pewter-inlaid ebony-veneered converted games board last quarter 17th century

previously converted into a table top, the hinges removed, on additional support; together with two sets of German ivory figural draughtsmen, the black knight lacking, and two sets of Nuremberg stained and ebonized wood draughtsmen, late 17th century, several of the wood gamespieces with the initials P.H.M. and all impressed with subjects by Philip Heinrich Muller (1650-1718); together with Selenus, Gustavus [i.e. Augustus II, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg]. Das Schach-oder König-Spiel. Leipzig: Lorentz Kober, 1616-1617. Small folio (11 x 7 3/8 in; 280 x 187 mm). Engraved title border, 5 engraved section titles, folding table, 3 engraved folding plates, 81 text engravings (some full-page); lower outer third of engraved title torn away, some browning and dampstaining throughout. Contemporary vellum with two elaborate brass bosses  of two putti supporting a crown added at a later date; upper cover detached, backstrip loose, one boss detached.

Sold by St. James's Chess Club, 29 King Street, St. James's London, 1866

Related Literature
W. Seipel, Spielwelten der Kunst. Kunstkammer spiele (exh. cat.), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 21 May - 2 August, 1998

Converted into a tabletop, hinges have been affixed, and a piece of wood has been placed in the center of the backgammon board with two thin pieces of metal attached perpendicular to it on each border. Losses and wear throughout. Some cracking and lifting of veneer. Some restoration to veneer throughout. Some losses to pewter stringing on sides. On chess board, five later holes for screws along the edges. Some remainders of old glue, restorations, and some loses to and loose inlays, particularly in six squares. Some small losses and restoration to chess pieces. Black knight chessman lacking. The accompanying small folio (11 x 7 3/8 in; 280 x 187 mm) with engraved title border, 5 engraved section titles, folding table, 3 engraved folding plates, 81 text engravings (some full-page); lower outer third of engraved title torn away, some browning and dampstaining throughout. Contemporary vellum with two elaborate brass bosses of two putti supporting a crown added at a later date; upper cover detached, backstrip loose, one boss detached.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The design of the board is typical of that found on inlaid cabinet pieces from Paris, Munich and Vienna made in the latter part of the 17th and early 18th centuries. The circular wood gamespieces were made after designs by Philipp Heinrich Müller (1650-1718) of Nuremberg around 1700-1720. The ivory chessmen are also probably South German and were carved in the18th century. See Seipel (op. cit.) for related gamespieces.

The accompanying book is the first edition of a classic illustrated book on chess. Duke August of Brunswick-Luneburg, founder of the great library at Wolfenbüttel, was a noted chess player and the game became very popular with European noblemen. The book includes pages (pasted to the inside of the covers) from the 1866 offering of the gamesboard in which a lengthy, noble provenance is suggested.