Description
Rare Large Brass Christoforus Sklavenitis Minoan Greek Chess Set.
Offered here is the Christoforus Sklavenitis Minoan Greek chess Set. This exceptional handmade vintage chess set was created by renowned Cretan artist Christoforus (Christoforos) Sklavenitis in the late 1960s to early 1970s using the traditional lost-wax casting method. This is a true piece of mid-century Greek sculptural art. Each of the 32 pieces is individually sculpted and finished in rich two-tone brass with natural patina — lighter gold highlights against darker antiqued bronze — giving the two armies a dramatic, museum-quality presence.
The King in this Christoforus Sklavenitis Minoan Greek chess set stands 6¼” tall — one of the larger and most desirable sizes in the Sklavenitis Minoan series. Every piece draws directly from the ancient Minoan civilization of Crete (c. 3000–1100 BCE), the same culture that produced the legendary Palace of Knossos and the bull-leaping frescoes:
- King – Commanding Minoan warrior figure
- Queen – Elegant female with traditional ponytail hairstyle and ritual cup
- Bishop – Tall, slender sword-bearing warriors
- Knight – Iconic stylized horses with dramatic crested manes and engraved Minoan motifs
- Rook – Sacred throne steles featuring intricate floral, wave, and symbolic carvings
- Pawn – Powerful charging Minoan bulls
No chessboard is included with this set of chessmen, but a suitable board can be found elsewhere on this site.
Background.
Sklavenitis (student of Modigliani and celebrated sculptor, potter, painter, and poet) produced these sets in very limited numbers in his Chania, Crete studio. Each base is stamped “GREECE” and signed with the artist’s mark “R SKLAVENITIS.” These chess pieces were created as sculptural art objects rather than mass-produced artifacts. Complete sets in this larger 6¼” size are increasingly difficult to find. They are prized by collectors of mid-century modern sculpture, ancient Greek/Minoan artifacts.
This Christoforus Sklavenitis Minoan Greek chess set is not a standard chess set — it is wearable, display-worthy bronze sculpture that belongs on a collector’s shelf, in a gallery, or as a conversation centerpiece. A genuine piece of 20th-century Greek artistic heritage that bridges ancient Minoan symbolism with modern sculptural form.
