Indian Emerald and Ruby Chess Set

View Similar Items

Large Vintage Rajasthani / Indian Chess Set with Board

Chess Set

Custom Chess Set and Game Table

Antique Backgammon and Chess Set, circa 1900

Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set

Hand Carved Wood and Leather Chess Set

Austin Cox Chess Set

Chess Set from USA

Chess Talent Walnut Set

Chess Set Gemstone Lapis Lazuli and Marble 8"

Hermes Chess Set, 1985

Vintage Hardstone Chess Set

About the Item

Magnificent emeralds and rubies comprise this stunning Indian chess set. Carved with the utmost skill by artists in Jaipur, India in the ancient Mogul style, this set features 1,764 carats of rubies as the red side, while 1,160.5 carats of emeralds were carved to serve as the green side. The two opposing armies, with warriors riding elephants (with a driver for the kings), horses and camels, and pawns on foot, face each other in their best 24-karat gold-painted finery, and each piece was carved of a single unpolished gem. Meeting on a field of frosted glass set into a mahogany base, this set is one of the most intriguing we have ever seen. Date: 20th century. King: 2" high. Board measures: 201/4" square x 4 5/8" high. The game of chess was first played in India in the sixth century. Known then as Chaturanga, which means "four limbs" in Sanskrit, the game had two essential features which tie it to chess as we know it today. First, different pieces made different moves, which distinguished it from games such as checkers and Go, and secondly, victory depended on the fate of one piece, the king. There are, however, some aspects of Indian chess that are different from the game as it is played today. Instead of black and white, traditional colors were green and red, as exhibited in this set. Chess was not only a game to be played for recreation, but represented the Indian military strategy of the past era. It was featured in the epic poem, the Mahabharata, in which the name Chaturanga means "army," with its four parts, or limbs, being elephants, chariots, horsemen, foot soldiers. The pieces had different names, as modern pieces take their names from European titles. Indian pieces are called raja (king), minister (queen), the bishop is hathi, or elephant, a knight is known as a ghora, rooks are ratha and the pawns are known as padah. In addition, it is also believed that chess was originally a dice game, with gambling, but that this aspect was removed due to Hindu and Muslim religious objections.

Dimensions:
Height: 4.63 in (11.77 cm)Width: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)Depth: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)
Style:
Other (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Glass,Gold,Mahogany,Multi-gemstone
Place of Origin:
India
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
20th Century
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 30-04821stDibs: LU8911860131

More From This Seller

View All

Musical Jewelry and Sewing Casket

Located in New Orleans, LA

This charming musical jewelry and sewing box is a work of sublime artistry. Almost certainly German or Austrian in origin and crafted of deep, ebonized...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Other Decorative Boxes

Materials

Multi-gemstone

Musical Jewelry and Sewing Casket

$9,850

Commemorative King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Coronation Goblet

By T. Goode & Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

This elegantly formed glass goblet was crafted specifically to celebrate the coronation of Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The cup's bowl ...

Category

20th Century English Other Glass

Materials

Glass

Commemorative King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Coronation Goblet

$5,250

Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope

Located in New Orleans, LA

Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope Circa 1820 This extraordinary telescope exemplifies a rare union of 19th-century Swiss scientific innovation and artis...

Category

Antique 19th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal, Gold, Enamel

Swiss Enamel and Gold Telescope

$48,500

Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope

Located in New Orleans, LA

Scientifically advanced and exquisitely crafted, this rare 19th-century gold and enamel Swiss telescope is an item of exceptional luxury. The Swiss cre...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Swiss Gold and Enamel Telescope

$78,500

Swiss Gold and Enamel Musical Vinaigrette

Located in New Orleans, LA

A musical movement distinguishes this wonderful early 19th-century gold vinaigrette box. The vessel is covered in delicate engraving highlighted by bl...

Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Swiss Gold and Enamel Musical Vinaigrette

$22,500

Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach

Located in New Orleans, LA

This intriguing item is almost certainly a Holland Circle by German scientific instrument makers Baumann & Kinzelbach. The Holland Circle, sometimes referred to as a Dutch Circle, was used in land surveying and is a precursor to the theodolite, an optical instrument for measuring angles. Baumann and Kinzelbach were based in Stuttgart, Germany, and in addition to crafting surveying instruments...

Category

Antique 19th Century German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze

Holland Circle by Baumann and Kinzelbach

$6,850

20th Century Indian Games

Materials

Resin, Wood

Large Vintage Rajasthani / Indian Chess Set with Board

$760 Sale Price / set

20% Off

Chess Set

Located in grand Lancy, CH

Chess set

Category

Vintage 1970s European Games

Materials

Metal

Chess Set

$1,700

Custom Chess Set and Game Table

By Bridges over Time Originals

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A custom made walnut and maple chess set and game table we commissioned. It is solidly made with squares of curly maple and walnut. The table legs and borders are solid walnut. The c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Game Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Oak, Walnut

Custom Chess Set and Game Table

$6,000 Sale Price / set

52% Off

Antique Backgammon and Chess Set, circa 1900

Located in New York, NY

- This beautiful antique backgammon set features an original marquetry board, made by hand in France in the early 20th century. - The inlaid wood gameboard was crafted by hand from solid walnut using traditional tongue and groove methods. Its brass hinges open to reveal a chess or checkerboard on its reverse side. - Sourced in Provence, this set dates from a time when every sidewalk cafe and bistro kept a backgammon board for patrons' use. Decades of enjoyment have left this piece with a rich history and patina. - This board comes with 30 French olive wood playing pieces, patinated leather die...

Category