Chesspiece thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
South Asia Gallery, Room 41

Chesspiece

Chesspiece
mid 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Chesspiece; Ivory painted and stained, probably Jaipur or Jodhpur, Rajasthan, mid 19th century. Chess originated in India as a game of strategy based on the four branches of the army: cavalry, elephants, chariots and infantry. Although many of the pieces are the same as in the European game, there are differences such as a vizier (minister) taking the place of the Queen and the elephant of the European castle.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleChesspiece (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted ivory
Brief description
Chesspiece; ivory, painted and stained, probably Jaipur or Jodhpur, Rajasthan, mid-19th century
Physical description
Chesspiece; ivory, painted and stained, probably from Jaipur or Jodhpur, mid-19th century
Gallery label
  • Chesspiece; ivory, painted and stained, probably from Jaipur or Jodhpur, mid-19th century Gifted by Mr. G.A.Clarkson.(1990 - 2009)
  • Chesspiece, Ivory, painted and stained, probably Jaipur or Jodhpur, Rajasthan, mid 19th century.(1990, 2005)
Credit line
Given by Mr. G. A. Clarkson, Esq., F.R.C.S., 26 Courtfield Gardens, South Kensington, S.W.5
Object history
Chess originated in India as a game of strategy based on the four branches of the army: cavalry, elephants, chariots and infantry. Although many of the pieces are the same as in the European game, there are differences such as a vizier (minister) taking the place of the Queen and the elephant of the European castle.
Historical context
Gifted by Mr. G.A.Clarkson.
Subject depicted
Summary
Chesspiece; Ivory painted and stained, probably Jaipur or Jodhpur, Rajasthan, mid 19th century. Chess originated in India as a game of strategy based on the four branches of the army: cavalry, elephants, chariots and infantry. Although many of the pieces are the same as in the European game, there are differences such as a vizier (minister) taking the place of the Queen and the elephant of the European castle.
Collection
Accession number
IM.241C-1922

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Record createdMarch 27, 2008
Record URL
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