Lot 348. Antique Calvert Type II English Chessmen
Antique Calvert Type II English Chessmen.
This offering is a fine set of circa 1820s Calvert Type II English chessmen, often incorrectly characterized as a Barleycorn-style chess set. True Barleycorn style chess pieces have broad barrel-bodied Kings and Queens, and are normally fabricated from bone, rarely ivory. The chessmen here are natural and red-stained ivory. The King stands 3.7″ tall with a 1.4″ diameter base. The reeded headpiece is surmounted with a small ball finial. The lack of a King’s cross finial belies its true size. The Cross finial can add as much as 1/2″ to the advertised height of the King. The Queens have reeded spherical headpieces without finials. The Rooks are stout, pedestal mounted, reticulated towers with flags. The Bishops, Knights and Pawns resemble styles seen on typical Barleycorn chess sets.
This set of Calvert Type II English Chessmen was produced by the firm of John Calvert, 189 Fleet St, London. John Calvert was a Master of the Worshipful Company of Turners (1819), and a leading chess maker in England from 1791 until his death in 1822, after which his widow Dorothy ran Calvert business until her death in 1840. Although the chessmen are not stamped, the unmistakable Calvert Knight clearly marks this as a product of the John Calvert workshop.
Note: Several States have either enacted or have pending legislation restricting the sale or purchase of antique Ivory artifacts. Please check with your State Government before placing an order for any antique ivory from this website. International Trade in all forms of Elephant Ivory is strictly prohibited.