Description
Anri Sicilian Chess Set.
Offered here is one of the Rarest of the Anri Chessmen, the Anri Sicilian Chess Set, Item #71821. This is a beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted set of very festive figural Chess pieces depicting Sicilian Native life. Each of the chess pieces is magnificently hand-carved and painted The King stands 4-3/4″ tall with a 1-1/2″ diameter base. The finely hand carved Chess pieces are crafted from alpine maple. The pieces are have felt base pads and are unweighted. The Chess set lack its mahogany storage case. The Anri Sicilian Chess Set is in excellent condition and was produced for only one year between 1971 and 1972. No chessboard is included with these chessmen, but we offer a large selection of modern and antique chessboards here. Anri chessmen are 100% made in Italy for those who can appreciate the true value of these magnificent artistic chessmen.
Background.
In the late 19th century Alois Riffeser traveled to the major European cities to sell the wood carved figurines and toys which were bought from the farmers of the Gröden Valley located in the Dolomite region of the Alps. This area in South Tyrol was part of Austria-Hungary at the time until being annexed to Italy in 1919.
In 1912 Josef Anton Riffeser founded the ANRI Company, which he named using the first two letters of his first and last name. After World War I, where he was in a prisoner of war camp in Siberia, he formulated his plan for a woodcarving company. He created his own models which he distributed successfully, mainly in the Alpine region.
When Anton Adolf Riffeser took over in 1945, he transformed the ANRI company, adopting a more industrial model which allowed for better quality control and distribution to new markets. He was followed by Ernst Riffeser who was able to enlist the services of many well-known artists including Juan Ferràndiz, Sarah Kay and others. The ANRI company today is run by Thomas Riffeser, and still remains in the same family.
The wood art tradition has a long history in Val Gardena, Italy. The tradition of woodcarving dates back to the XVII century, when farmers started producing wood toys and utensils during the long winter season. The peasants than used to sell the items at spring markets. Part of the autonomous region Alto Adige/Southern Tyrol in Italy, the Val Gardena is known for its ancient romantic language, its skiing facilities – and its old tradition of woodcarving. The ANRI company’s chess sets from the 1950s through the 1980s were produced in this region and have gained collectors status, thanks to their unparalleled quality.
The Anri workshops are renowned all over the world because the wonderful wooden sculptures and statues made by the famous local sculptors and carvers.
