JAPANESE; mid-18th century

42. Chessmen in Simple Religious Attire. Ivory: white vs. rose-tinted ivory. King 2-3/8" H. Rosewood and ivory case-board, lined and fitted for chessmen with green velvet.

Incomplete set: white and rose-tinted Queens missing. Superbly executed craftsmanship distinguishes these chessmen. Hand-carved in one with their oval bases. King is dressed in simple classic religious robe, Bishop is a Buddhist monk with his mendicant dish, Knight is a samurai warrior on a horse, and Rook is a castle with a concavely-curved roof. White Pawns are foot-soldiers with long sticks; red Pawns are sentinels with short sticks, and their right hands are raised to their temples in a lookout posture.

Gift of Nada C. Speeth, in memory of her husband, County Commissioner Henry W. Speeth, 1973.