Description
African Tribal Chessmen from Zaire.
African Tribal Chessmen from Zaire. The pieces are natural and black painted. The King stands 4.2″ tall with a 1.4″ long rectangular base. These pieces probably date to the early 1950s. Chess sets of this style are still carved in Zaire. The black paint is wearing on most of the dark warriors. Several of the pieces are missing their removable weapons. The black Queen is missing her whisk, both black bishops are missing their spears. All the Pawns still have both their removable shields and spears. There is no breakage. The set dates to around 1950.
Here’s a brief description of the individual chessmen.
The bearded King carries a dagger and spear.
- The queen holds a whisk made of hair.
- The knight wears a loin cloth and carries a bow and arrow.
- The Rook is represented by a warrior with a drum, probably a bongo.
- The bishop is a warrior with a raised spear.
- The pawns are warriors with a shield and spear.