Game Piece in the Form of an Enthroned King
Unknown Artist
ca. 1200–1250
Medium
Probably fine pumice stone
Dimensions
Overall: 1 7/8 x 11/16 x 15/16 in. (4.8 x 1.8 x 2.4 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Miniature
Culture
North German
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1978
Accession Number
1978.494
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of medieval gaming with this charming *Game Piece in the Form of an Enthed King*, crafted around 1200–1250 in North Germany. Measuring just 1 7/8 x 11/16 x 15/16 inches, this miniature sculpture captures a regal figure seated on a throne, likely representing a chess king or similar piece from a high-status board game. Such objects were not mere toys but symbols of power, blending leisure with the era's hierarchical society. Carved from fine pumice stone—a lightweight, porous volcanic material rarely used for such detailed work—this piece showcases the sculptor's skill in t...