- 100
A Fatimid rock crystal chess piece, Egypt, 11th century
Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
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Description
- rock crystal
carved with deep bevel-cut foliate designs and incised dash details
Condition
In general good condition, some abrasion to surface consistent with use and ware and a couple of small chips to 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
The present lot is a rare example of Fatimid rock crystal carving and an interesting addition to the existing corpus of rock crystal gaming pieces of the period.
The game of chess, which can be traced back through archaeological evidence to the second or third century, spread from the Indian subcontinent through Persia to centres such as Baghdad and Cairo, from where the present chess piece most probably originates. It can be attributed either to the Abbasid or Fatimid Caliphates as it shares a number of stylistic and technical features with examples of similar gaming pieces now in various museum collections. A particularly close example in shape, style and size is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 669:1, 2-1883). Described as “probably a king", it gives an indication of the present piece’s original place on the chessboard. It is carved in a slightly bevelled style, one facet with a leaf emerging out of stylised sprigs and the other side with two stylised hearts between two palms, separated by an etched border.
Furthermore, the present piece can be linked to two important groups of rock crystal chess pieces; notably a collection of ten from the famed Ager chess set, including two kings or viziers, two bishops, two knights, a rook and three pawns now in the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya in Kuwait (inv. no. LNS I Has-j, and published in Jenkins 1983, p.60), as well as eight rock crystal chess pieces which are now in the Diocesan Museum in Orense, Spain.
Its composition gives further clues to its original intended use. As rock crystal was considered to be a luxurious material, this chess piece probably formed part of an important commission for an elite client.
The game of chess, which can be traced back through archaeological evidence to the second or third century, spread from the Indian subcontinent through Persia to centres such as Baghdad and Cairo, from where the present chess piece most probably originates. It can be attributed either to the Abbasid or Fatimid Caliphates as it shares a number of stylistic and technical features with examples of similar gaming pieces now in various museum collections. A particularly close example in shape, style and size is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 669:1, 2-1883). Described as “probably a king", it gives an indication of the present piece’s original place on the chessboard. It is carved in a slightly bevelled style, one facet with a leaf emerging out of stylised sprigs and the other side with two stylised hearts between two palms, separated by an etched border.
Furthermore, the present piece can be linked to two important groups of rock crystal chess pieces; notably a collection of ten from the famed Ager chess set, including two kings or viziers, two bishops, two knights, a rook and three pawns now in the Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyya in Kuwait (inv. no. LNS I Has-j, and published in Jenkins 1983, p.60), as well as eight rock crystal chess pieces which are now in the Diocesan Museum in Orense, Spain.
Its composition gives further clues to its original intended use. As rock crystal was considered to be a luxurious material, this chess piece probably formed part of an important commission for an elite client.