Chessboard

Art Historical Context

This exquisite chessboard, crafted by an unknown British artist in the third quarter of the17th century, exemplifies the opulence of Restoration-era decorative arts. Measuring a compact 7 × 7 inches (17.8 × 17.8 cm), it features alternating squares of finely carved ivory and polished ebony, accented with silver inlays that catch the light with subtle elegance. These luxury materials—ivory from elephant tusks, ebony from dense African hardwoods, and sterling silver—were hallmarks of high-end craftsmanship, reserved for the aristocracy and reflecting the era's fascination with exotic imports and...