Lot #292. Vasari Romans vs Egyptians Chess Set

Vasari Romans vs Egyptians Chess Set.

A Vasari Romans vs Egyptians Chess Set, bronze, adorned in silver and 24K gold created by Giuseppe Vasari. Every Chess Set is produced in limited number. Each of the chessmen rests upon circular onyx and marble bases. A chessboard with onyx and marble squares trimmed in silver and 24K gold is included. The Rook stands 5” tall. The chessboard is 26″ square with 3″ squares.

The Final War of the Roman Republic, also known as Antony’s Civil War or The War between Antony and Octavian, was the last of the Roman civil wars of the republic, fought between Cleopatra (assisted by Mark Antony) and Octavian. After the Roman Senate declared war on the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, Antony, her lover and ally, betrayed the Roman government and joined the war on Cleopatra’s side. After the decisive victory for Octavian at the Battle of Actium, Cleopatra and Antony withdrew to Alexandria, where Octavian besieged the city until both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.

Following the end of the war, Octavian brought peace to the Roman state that had been plagued by a century of civil wars. Octavian became the most powerful man in the Roman world and the Senate bestowed upon him the name of Augustus in 27 BC. Octavian, now Augustus, would be the first Roman Emperor and would transform the oligarchic/democratic Republic into the autocratic Roman Empire.

The last Republican Civil War would mark the beginning of the Pax Romana, which remains the longest period of peace and stability that Europe has seen in recorded history. More information on the Roman/Egyptian wars can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_War_of_the_Roman_Republic

“La bottega del Vasari” was found by Gianni Inclimona, an artist who traces his ancestry to the renowned 16th Century Italian Renaissance Artist and Architect. La Bottega del Vasari is known the world over. Gianni Inclimona, called il “VASARI,” began his craft in Milano 25 years ago. He began reproducing armies and battles of the past and than started making them into Chess Sets faithful to historic battles. These Chess Sets are produced in bronze, hand chiseled, finished with Gold and Silver. All work is carried out directly by Gianni Inclimona who continues to use old traditional methods. For this reason only a few of these special artistic Chess Sets are produced each year.