Description
Revolutionary War Period Chessmen.
This offering is an example of a set of Antique Revolutionary War Period Chessmen. The pieces are natural and red-stained cow bone. The King stands 3″ tall with a 1-1/4″ diameter base. The Royal chess pieces exhibit the ubiquitous pedestal-mounted, ringed-body design, while the rooks are reticulated rowers, typical of sets produced during the late Georgian period. The Bishops and Pawns are headpieces and spheres mounted atop self-similar baluster pedestals with wide flattened bases. The Rooks and minor pieces are typical of those found in pre-1800 chessmen, particularly the brickwork on the Rooks and the very simple but distinctive “Question Mark” Knight style. The minor pieces and pawns are very similar in style to those seen in photographs taken in the Keeping Room of the James Madison Montpelier, Virginia House. These Revolutionary War Period Chessmen are among the style chess pieces used during the latter half of the 18th century and early 19th century. The chess pieces were produced by several ivory and bone turners and were most likely produced around 1795. These are authentic antique chessmen that will make a fine display. The chess pieces are in excellent condition and housed in an antique slide-top Mahogany box, typical of those used for chessmen of this type – although originality of the box can’t be confirmed. The wear on the red stain reflects over two centuries of play and the pieces project a very pleasant “antique” aura. The antique chessboard shown is not included. A suitable chessboard can be found elsewhere on this site.
Some Background.
Barleycorn chess sets originated in England during the late 18th century as part of a broader tradition of turned bone and ivory pieces for recreational use. They represent a bridge between ornate 18th-century styles and the more uniform Victorian-era designs, often produced in workshops across Britain (and sometimes Germany) for middle-class households. The red staining on one side was a common technique to differentiate opponents, using cochineal dye or similar pigments. These sets were practical playing items rather than purely decorative, as evidenced by wear patterns and the functional base design. Original complete sets from this era are increasingly rare today, with many having been damaged, separated, or discarded over time, making well-preserved examples collectible among chess historians and antique enthusiasts.