and for the notes in the catalogue..
"A rare Samanid part chess-set, Nishapur, 10th/11th century or earlier
comprising sixteen pieces composed of ivory, the Kings and Queens as stylised 'animal' figures, the knights and rooks also in stylised form, the small pawns of abstract form with ball-head terminals
Quantity: 16
tallest: 3.5cm.
smallest: 1.7cm.
To find an almost complete chess set of this early period is extremely rare, making this example an important addition to the study of the evolution of the game of chess.
The origins of the game of chess are traced etymologically to the Indian subcontinent, from where the Sanskrit ‘chaturanga’ would have later been adapted into Persian, becoming ‘shatranj’, although no early chess pieces have yet been excavated in the Subcontinent.
Quickly becoming the most popular indoor game of Abbasid Baghdad, chess spread to the Levant, North Africa and the Byzantine Empire via the Islamic conquests. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries chess was played only in noble and royal circles, and so the sets were often made from luxury materials such as ivory and rock crystal such as some of the examples in this group. The game is mentioned in writings from the period, notably by Firdausi (934-1020) who describes the game as one which came to Persia from India.
The poet Omar Khayyam (1048-1131), born in Nishapur, lyrically compares the game of chess to that of destiny:
"Tis all a chequer-board of nights and days
Where Destiny with men for pieces plays:
Hither and tither moves, and mates and slays,
And one by one back in the closet lays"
Whereas individual chess pieces of this form and from such an early period are known, complete chess sets are practically non-existent, as highlighted by Dr. Thomas Thomsen, President for the last twenty years of Chess Collectors International: "In my fourty years’ experience, I am not aware of any other chess set from this period" (personal communication)."
https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2017/arts-of-the-islamic-world-l17223/lot.138.html?locale=en
Originally thought to be a Caravaggio, this unsigned oil painting, generally called The Chess Players, is now though to be by Bartolomeo Manfredi, who either studied under Michelangelo Caravaggio or was heavily influenced by him.
This painting by Danish artist, Caroline Alexia Schønheyder van Deurs (b. 10-28-1860; d. 9-29-1932), entitled De Jonge Schaakster (The Young Chess Player), filled me with awe when I first saw it. Although painted a century ago, it feels so modern. The girl seems mesmerizing by the chess pieces, or perhaps lost in thought trying to understand the moves by herself.
Michael Adams
Everyone knows about the 1st Ladies' International Chess Tournament held in 1897 and easily won by Mary Rudge. But there was a 2nd Ladies' International Chess Tournament planned to be held in New York City in autumn of 1899. At the last minute it was postponed until 1900 due to lack of sponsors. Finally it was cancelled altogether.
Amazing... Then you walk in the living room to find your kid has drawn a turtle or something and 6 familiar looking pencils are scattered on the floor around them.