Chess Set
mid 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Set of 32 chessmen. The two sides represent the army of Rama and the army of the Demon-King of Ceylon, Ravanna.
Each consists of a Min (king), Sikke' (War Minister or lieutenant general), 2 Sin (elephants), 2 Myin (horsemen), 2 Yitta (war-chariots); in some sets the yitta has the wheels carved on each side, in this set these are not indicated giving them the appearance of stupa like castles. The animals are ridden by monkeys, or rakshasas, according to the side. Rama's Ne (pawns) are squatting monkeys and Ravanna's squatting demons.
Rama's side tinted a terra-cotta colour and Ravanna's a green colour.
Each consists of a Min (king), Sikke' (War Minister or lieutenant general), 2 Sin (elephants), 2 Myin (horsemen), 2 Yitta (war-chariots); in some sets the yitta has the wheels carved on each side, in this set these are not indicated giving them the appearance of stupa like castles. The animals are ridden by monkeys, or rakshasas, according to the side. Rama's Ne (pawns) are squatting monkeys and Ravanna's squatting demons.
Rama's side tinted a terra-cotta colour and Ravanna's a green colour.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 32 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Carved Buffalo-horn |
| Brief description | Burmese, Shan State Chess Set of carved buffolo horn, green and terracotta, representing the armies of Rama and Ravanna. ca. mid 19th century. |
| Physical description | Set of 32 chessmen. The two sides represent the army of Rama and the army of the Demon-King of Ceylon, Ravanna. Each consists of a Min (king), Sikke' (War Minister or lieutenant general), 2 Sin (elephants), 2 Myin (horsemen), 2 Yitta (war-chariots); in some sets the yitta has the wheels carved on each side, in this set these are not indicated giving them the appearance of stupa like castles. The animals are ridden by monkeys, or rakshasas, according to the side. Rama's Ne (pawns) are squatting monkeys and Ravanna's squatting demons. Rama's side tinted a terra-cotta colour and Ravanna's a green colour. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Credit line | Given by F. Reginald B. Lee |
| Object history | This set had been used by the family of the Sawbwa of Mongye, Shan States for over 50 years before acquisition by the donor at the beginning of the 20th century. Reginald Lee served in the Educational Service of the Govt of India in the lst quarter of the 20th century |
| Bibliographic reference | Keats, Victor. Chessmen for Collectors
Ferrars, Max and Bertha. Burma
London 1901; 180p., ill 403.
Shway Yoe. The Burman - His Life and Notions
Macmillan, London 1882. Chapter 37 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.36 to EE-1934 |
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| Record created | November 22, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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