PROBABLY JAIPUR, NORTHERN INDIA, CIRCA 1840-1880

Details

A GEM SET AND ENAMELLED CHESS SET
PROBABLY JAIPUR, NORTHERN INDIA, CIRCA 1840-1880
Comprising 32 pieces, the gold figures on a lac core, decorated with champlevé enamels, set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls and agate; divided into two typical groups of sixteen, each group comprising two standing male figures, two elephants, two horses, two camels and eight foot soldiers (pawns), the base of each figure with a miniature painted in gouache on ivory depicting monuments and portraits
The largest 2 ¼in. (5.7cm) high; 0 ¾in. (2cm.) wide; 1 5/8in. (4.1cm.) deep

Provenance

By repute, Maharaja of Indore

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Louise Broadhurst

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Lot Essay

The game of chess is believed to have originated in India during the Gupta period (mid-3rd century – 543 AD). The early form known as chaturanga and subsequently as shatranj, it has remained a popular game in India. A favourite royal pastime, it is often depicted in Indian miniatures paintings, along with other board games such as pachisi and chaupar. For a 19th century royal treatise on chaturanga dedicated to Maharaja Krishna Wadiyar III of Mysore, see lot 133 in this sale. The polychrome enamel colours and the style of gem setting on our chess pieces suggest that the set was probably made in Jaipur in North India. A group of chaupar gaming pieces dated to the 19th century which are enamelled in a similar palette of colours are illustrated in Bala Krishnan and Kumar, 2010, fig.188, p.133. For other comparable gem set and enamelled animal figures on oval and rectangular bases which were also probably made in Jaipur, see lots 112, 113 and 121 in the present sale. The miniatures on the base of each piece depicting views of Indian monuments and portraits of Mughal queens and princesses can be compared with lot 143, also in this sale, which is decorated with similar miniatures.

Comparable enamelled and gem set gaming pieces depicting a pair of horses and elephants with riders have sold recently at auction, see Christie’s, South Kensington, 11 October 2013, lots 586 and 587. Another 19th century group of thirty-one enamelled gaming pieces from Benares in North India sold at Christie’s, South Kensington, 10 June 2013, lot 190.

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