Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity. Although ivory, wood and stone are relatively easy to carve, other materials such as gemstones are much more demanding. Most of these carvings were made for wealthy patrons and collectors, who delighted in the rarity of the material and quality of the carving. The quality of the carving in this chess piece makes it unique. Although slightly damaged, it is one of the finest 13th-century ivory carvings in existence. As well as a king, the carving shows seven soldiers defending a castle, its walls covered with leafy foliage.
Physical description
Ivory chess-piece, probably a king consisting of a medieval castle with two tiers of battlements defended by seven soldiers and a king carved in the round; beneath the lower crenellated parapet of the castle, the wall is pierced by round windows, out of which figures are looking.
Place of Origin
England, Great Britain (made)
Date
ca. 1220-1240 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Walrus ivory carved in relief
Dimensions
Height: 10 cm, Width: 6.5 cm
Object history note
The object was acquired in Paris in 1863.
Historical significance: The quality of the carving in this chess piece makes it unique. Although slightly damaged, it is one of the finest 13th-century ivory carvings in existence. As well as a king, the carving shows seven soldiers defending a castle, its walls covered with leafy foliage.
Historical context note
Chess was a game enjoyed by people of rank. References to chess sets are found in English inventories and wills of Kings, Bishops and Earls.
Descriptive line
Walrus ivory chesspiece (either a king or a rook), English, ca. 1220-1240
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
D. Porter, Ivory Carving in Later Medieval England, 1200-1400. State University of New York at Binghampton, PhD dissertation 1974 (2 vols in one), vol II, cat. no. 20.
Country life. London : Country Life Ltd., 1897 -, February 16th, 1907, p.229.
Longhurst, Margaret H. English ivories. London, G.P. Putnam's Sons, limited [1926], No.XLVI, pp.99, 38, Pl. 42.
Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1863 In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 36
Porter, D. A. Ivory Carvings in later medieval Engalnd 1200-1400. State University of New York at Binghampton, PhD dissertation, 1974.
Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part II. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1929, p. 8
Exhibition History
Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400 (Royal Academy of Arts 06/11/1987-06/03/1988)
Materials
Ivory
Techniques
Carving; Relief
Subjects depicted
Soldiers; Castles; Crowns (headdresses); Weapons; Body armour; Shields (armor); Kings (chessmen)
Categories
Sculpture; Games
Collection code
SCP
