Description
Royal Dux Porcelain Tartar Warriors Chessmen
Offered here is a vintage set of Royal Dux Porcelain Tartar Warriors Chessmen. This exquisite Royal Dux Bohemia porcelain chess set, produced in Czechoslovakia during the mid-20th century, features a rare figural Tartar (Tatar) warriors theme inspired by historic Meissen designs. Depicting opposing nomadic steppe armies, the set includes 32 meticulously hand-painted pieces: pawns as turbaned soldiers, rooks as turreted elephants, knights as rearing horses, bishops as armed chieftains, queens as veiled nobles, and kings as bearded monarchs wielding scepters. One side is rendered in deep navy blue with white and gold gilt accents, contrasting the opposing side in pristine white with similar ornate detailing and naturalistic facial tones.
Each piece stands on a gilded base, with the king measuring 4-3/8″ tall and a 1-3/8″ diameter base, showcasing the factory’s renowned craftsmanship from the post-1918 era under the “Royal Dux Bohemia” mark. In mint condition with no chips, cracks, or wear, this complete set is a prized addition for serious collectors of Bohemian porcelain, antique chess memorabilia, or Orientalist art. Decorators’ marks on the bases add to its authenticity and provenance. Ideal for display in a curated collection or as a functional heirloom, it evokes the grandeur of Central Asian history while embodying mid-century European porcelain artistry.
This Orientalist or Central Asian warrior motif was popular in 20th-century European porcelain, evoking nomadic steppe cultures like the Mongols or Tatars, and the set likely dates to the mid-1900s based on the “Royal Dux Bohemia” marks (often used post-1918, during the Czechoslovakian period).
The gold numbers visible on the bases (such as 17, 36, 83, 86) are decorators’ marks, which were hand-painted by the individual artists or painters at the Royal Dux factory to identify who decorated or finished each specific piece. This was a common practice in porcelain manufactories for quality control and attribution, especially on hand-painted items like these figural chess pieces.
The chessboard shown with the chessmen is not included. For our extensive selection of premium and antique chessboards, visit this link.
Some History.
The name Royal Dux is World renown for the highest quality porcelain products. he Royal Dux porcelain company, originally known as Duxer Porzellanmanufaktur, was founded in 1853 in Duchcov (then Dux), Bohemia (now Czech Republic). They originally produced utility ceramics from local raw materials. In 1860, sculptor and modeler Eduard Eichler acquired the factory, expanding it to produce high-quality art porcelain, including figural pieces inspired by historical designs. Eichler managed the company until his death in 1887. By 1898, it started specializing in Art Nouveau styles. Post-World War I, during the Czechoslovakian era (after 1918), the company adopted the “Royal Dux Bohemia” mark. The company was nationalized in 1945 and merged into the Duchcov Porcelain Factory. Later became part of the Czech Porcelain Group. It continues to manufacture high-quality decorative and figural porcelain products to the present day.
