Description
Art Deco Chess Set, The Vorlons
This mysterious-looking Art Deco Chess Set, The Vorlons, was designed in the late 1970s. The ceramic chessmen have a a graceful, harmonious design and are hand-painted white, black and red. The king stands 3.6″ tall. The chessmen are housed in their original packing. The compartmented Styrofoam protective inner box and the outer display box are in excellent condition with minor signs of wear due to long-term shelf storage. The pieces appear to have been the inspiration for the Babylon 5 Vorlon character, Ambassador Koch’s encounter suit. The bases are approximately 1.5″ square. The chessmen are as new. The designer and manufacturer are unknown. The display box and storage trays are in very good condition with minor scuffing due to long-term shelf storage. The chessboards shown with the chessmen are not included. For our extensive selection of premium and antique chessboards, visit this link.
Some Background.
The streamlined, geometric elegance of this beautiful chess set, reflects the essence of art deco design. After the first world war, the designers, who came to prominence were inspired by the revolutionary Works of Picasso, et all, turning their backs on the conventional styles of the past. They celebrated the power and Speed of the machine age, often combining Stylized geometric motives with patterns taken from Aztec, Egyptian, African, or oriental sources.
The new style came to public attention in 1925 at L’Exposition Internationale des Artes. Staged in Paris, it was the first major exhibition of decorative arts to be held after the end of the war. The exhibits clearly heralded a new movement in the arts and the exhibition gave the new style it’s name Art Deco.
From the mid-1920s until the outbreak of the second world war, Art Deco epitomized all that was glamorous and modern in contemporary design. It was this style that Hollywood embraced during its golden age. Film sets, publicity, photographs, and the luxury goods that surrounded film stars were invariably Art Deco in spirit. Even the picture galleries built around the globe to display Hollywood’s films were embellished with art deco motifs.
Today, the work of art deco designers is admired for its beauty, energy, and imagination. These inspiring qualities are mirrored in the sophisticated design of this hand-finished art deco style chess set, making it an exceptional gift for players of all abilities.
