Chess piece
Unknown Artist
late 19th century
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
H. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Classification
Ivories
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Alfred W. Hoyt Collection, Bequest of Rosina H. Hoppin, 1965
Accession Number
65.86.134
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite ivory chess piece, crafted in late 19th-century China during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), stands just 3 7/8 inches (9.8 cm) tall, a testament to the miniaturist's extraordinary skill. Likely depicting a female figure—hinted by its thematic tags—it forms part of a game set, blending functionality with artistry. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art Department as part of the Alfred W. Hoyt Collection (bequest of Rosina H. Hoppin, 1965), it exemplifies the delicate ivories classification prized by collectors. Ivory carving reached new heights in Qing China, where a...