Chessmen (32)
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Ivory
Dimensions
Height (each king): 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm); Height (each pawn): 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Classification
Chess Sets
Culture
Chinese
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1953
Accession Number
53.71.181a–p, aa–pp
Tags
Art Historical Context
These exquisite ivory chessmen, comprising a complete set of 32 pieces hail from 19th-century China and showcase the masterful carving skills of anonymous artisans. Crafted from elephant ivory—a prized medium prized for its smooth texture and ability to capture fine details—the kings stand at 4½ inches (11.4 cm) tall, while pawns measure 2 inches (5.1 cm), making them perfectly scaled for intimate play. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1953 by Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, they now reside in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department, highlighting their appeal to Western collect...