Chessman (King)

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world of 19th-century metalwork with *Chessman (King)*, a exquisite reproduction crafted by the pioneering British firm Elkington & Co. in during the third quarter of the19th century (circa 1850–1875). Standing just 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) tall, this silver-on-base-metal piece faithfully copies a 17th-century German original, capturing the regal poise of a chess king in miniature. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European and Decorative Arts department, it entered the collection as a gift from Henry G. Marquand in 1883. Elkington & Co. revolutionized manufacturing with electrotyping, a groundbreaking electroplating technique that deposited a thin layer of silver onto a base metal mold. This allowed for precise, affordable replicas of precious historical artifacts, making luxury designs accessible beyond the elite. As part of a chess set reproduction classified under Metalwork-Electrotype, it exemplifies Victorian Britain's passion for Gothic Revival and medieval revivalism, blending artistry with industrial innovation. Chess, with roots in ancient strategy games, held cultural cachet in the 19th century as a symbol of intellect and nobility. This chessman not only preserves a Germanic sculptural tradition but also highlights how electrotypes democratized art collecting, bridging centuries of craftsmanship for modern admirers.

About the Artist

Elkington & Co. · 1829–1963

Elkington & Co. was the Birmingham firm that transformed the production of decorative metalwork by commercializing electroplating — a process that made silver-quality objects accessible to a vastly wider public. The company was established by George Richards Elkington (1801–1865) and his cousin Henry Elkington during the 1830s, initially trading as G. R. Elkington & Co. A crucial turning point cam...