Description
Vintage Mexican Tarasco Bone and Wood Chess Set in Green.
Offered here is a Large, hand-crafted, Vintage Mexican Tarasco Bone and Wood chess set, with a King standing a statuesque 5-7/8″ tall with a 1-3/4” diameter base. The opposing armies are natural and green accented wood with bine trim. The pieces are unweighted and rest atop felt base pads. The chess pieces are hand-crafted from local Mexican-sourced wood, which is left natural and black lacquered. These chess pieces feature their characteristic bone headpieces. The bases are noted for their intricately hand-appointed detail.
These beautifully turned chess pieces were originally crafted by the Tarasco Indian people until 1944. The shapes of the pieces are loosely derived from the English St. George pattern from the 1840s. There is some typical shrinkage cracks in one or two of the chess pieces. Otherwise, the chessmen are in excellent. The pieces are stored within an inlaid folding box, which also serves as the chessboard. These chess sets were produced around 1950. The black and white Spanish veneer chessboard shown is not included. A combination folding chessboard/storage box (not shown) is included in this offering,
Background.
Tarasco, Indian people of northern Michoacán state in central Mexico. The area in which the Tarasco live is one of high volcanic plateaus and lakes; the climate is arid and cool. Geographically and culturally, Mesoamerica consists of two strongly contrasted regions: highland and lowland. The Mexican highlands are formed mainly by the two Sierra Madre ranges that sweep down on the east and west. The extreme diversity of the Mesoamerican environment produced what has been called a symbiosis among its subregions. Interregional exchange of agricultural products, luxury items, and other commodities led to the development of large and well-regulated markets.
