Lot 137
  • 137

A large Fatimid rock crystal chess piece, Egypt, 11th century

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Rock Crystal
carved with deep bevel-cut scroll designs and dash details

Provenance

Ex-collection Lothar Schmid (1928-2013).

Literature

PUBLISHED:
W. Seipel, Spielwelten der Kunst. Kunstkammer spiele (exh. cat.), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, 21 May - 2 August, 1998, p.112, no.38.
J. Petzold, Das königliche Spiel. Die Kulturgeschichte des Schachs, Stuttgart – Leipzig 1987, Abb. 7 c: zu Bergkristallfiguren.

LITERATURE:
Schmid, 'Die Hedwigsgläser und die verwadten fatimidischen Glas-und Kristallschnitte', in: Schlesiens Vorzeit in Bild und Schrift, Neue Folge VI, 1912, pp.53-78.
C.J. Lamm, Mittelalterliche Gläser und Steinschnittarbeiten aus dem nahen Osten, 2 Bde., Berlin, 1929, taf. 76/77.
Erdmann, 'Fatimid rock crystals', in: Oriental Art III, 1951.
Kluge-Pinsker, Die Salier. Schchspiel und Trictrac. Zeugnisse mittelalterlicher Spielfreude aus salischer Zeit, Sigmaringen, 1991, p.35.
Thamm, Das sog. Schachpiel Karls des Groben im Osnabrücker Domschatz und verwandte Schchfiguren, Mag.-Arbeit Osnabrück, WS, 1995/96.

Condition

Intact, the bottom, circular edge chipped and external surfaces with scratches and light abrasion, 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."

Catalogue Note

The Fatimids mastered the carving of rock crystal in the tenth century, owing to their Caliphs’ abundant wealth which provided the means to commission such refined works. An impressive, although limited, corpus of remaining works which include ewers, flasks and chess pieces exhibits the exemplary skill of Fatimid craftsmen. This king or queen demonstrates both their affluence and the superior position they granted to the game of chess at this time.

The stylised, uneven foliate design separated by an etched border that decorate a chess piece in the Victoria and Albert Museum collections are remarkably similar to the designs of this present piece.  Furthermore, the first of two larger crystal chess sets are located in the Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait (inv. no. LNS I Has-j, and published in Jenkins 1983, p.60). It comprises two kings or viziers, two bishops, two knights, a rook and three pawns from the renowned Ager chess set. The second, consisting of eight rock crystal chess pieces, is now in the Diocesan Museum in Orense, Spain.