01-28-2014 04:59 PM
Does anyone recognize these pieces? I could not find anything. Maybe someone can point me in a direction since I am stumped. The queen weighs 3 oz, King is approx 141 mm tall, base 1 & 3/4" or 43 mm.
01-29-2014 10:50 AM
Image?
01-29-2014 12:22 PM
01-29-2014 12:24 PM
01-29-2014 12:26 PM
01-30-2014 02:48 AM
I may be off here, but it looks similar to exotic bone sets like these two:
http://www.regencychess.co.uk/kings-cross-carved-camel-bone-chess-pieces-p-96.html
or
http://www.chessbaron.co.uk/chess-X2011.htm
01-30-2014 09:56 AM
Modern versions like those are generally of camel bone, but the set in question (and the cae especially) looks older (probably post WWII, 1950's or such ) - the composition is difficilt to see from the the images.
01-30-2014 08:26 PM
Thank you for your input. Thought I posted a reply earlier but does not appear to have stuck. At any rate, prior to posting for help, my searches lead me to believe "India" and early 20th century. Speculation purely...and based on India being the only chess pieces I could locate that resembled the markings of the set in question. It also seems those pieces from India were the only type that resembled the same height as pieces in question, (king est 5 3/5"). I did locate on the internet cases just as this one, their time period being early 20th century. Seems the case I have is large, I have not spotted another in the 19" X 13" range. I will post when I find out anything more.
Thank you, Donna
01-31-2014 08:26 AM
I agree that these are most likely from India and also probably camel bone. I would date them more into recent than earlier. My guess is something more along the 80's or 90's.
The most notable issue is the king's height. Just over 5-1/2" is abnormally tall for these sets. More often than not they remain in the 3-1/2 to 4" height range. The box dimmensions would barely support a pair of 5-1/2" tall kings so I suggest re-measuring.
Clay Neubert
01-31-2014 11:40 AM
02-08-2014 01:49 AM - edited 02-08-2014 01:50 AM
A relatively similar set has just appeared on eBay US
I tend to agree with the seller - mid C20th.
From the 3rd image (of the base), it looks as if that set may be ivory - not bone. One can just about make out faint Schreger lines.
02-09-2014 06:33 PM
Thank you for alerting me to the listing, I did check it out and the set does look very similiar. After reading your message I had received an email back from Garrick Coleman who said "Your set is what you say it is Indian ivory mid 20th century."
I just didnt realize Indian Ivory. I also didnt realize ebay doesnt allow selling.
02-09-2014 06:55 PM
02-11-2014 07:58 AM
Many of the more modern Indian sets are camel bone - but pre-ban (and for a while afterwards) they used ivory quite a lot, as there would often be 'left-overs' from larger carvings. I did wonder about your set as, although I can't see any Schreger lines, there is some discolouration that can be typical of ivory.
Of course, just because its ivory doesn't necessarily mean anything, or greatly affect the value - in English sets, it often does, as ivory was a more expensive and less frequently used material, 'reserved' for the better quality sets, but that is not always the case where it is relatively commonplace.
Indian (in the sense of coming from Indian elephants, not necesaarily where the piece was carved) ivory has a different 'look' to it than the African variety - not so attractive to my eye, in general, but others may think differently.
04-18-2014 09:16 PM
Have never seen before.