"Napoleon and Henri IV" Chess Pieces
Artist/maker unknown, French
Geography:
Made in France, Europe
Date:
Early 19th centuryMedium:
IvoryDimensions:
King (red): 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm) Queen (red): 4 1/8 inches (10.5 cm) Rook (red): 4 inches (10.2 cm) Bishop (red): 3 1/4 inches (8.3 cm) Knight (red): 3 1/4 inches (8.3 cm) Pawn (red): 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) King (green): 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm) Queen (green): 3 7/8 inches (9.8 cm) Rook (green): 4 inches (10.2 cm) Bishop (green): 3 3/8 inches (8.6 cm) Knight (green): 3 3/8 inches (8.6 cm) Pawn (green): 2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and SculptureObject Location:
1964-91-26(1--32)Credit Line:
Gift of John F. Harbeson, 1964
Made in France, Europe
Date:
Early 19th centuryMedium:
IvoryDimensions:
King (red): 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm) Queen (red): 4 1/8 inches (10.5 cm) Rook (red): 4 inches (10.2 cm) Bishop (red): 3 1/4 inches (8.3 cm) Knight (red): 3 1/4 inches (8.3 cm) Pawn (red): 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) King (green): 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm) Queen (green): 3 7/8 inches (9.8 cm) Rook (green): 4 inches (10.2 cm) Bishop (green): 3 3/8 inches (8.6 cm) Knight (green): 3 3/8 inches (8.6 cm) Pawn (green): 2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and SculptureObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1964-91-26(1--32)Credit Line:
Gift of John F. Harbeson, 1964
Label:
In the early nineteenth century French emperor Napoléon Bonaparte (1769–1821) was a popular subject for chess sets, appearing opposite a variety of historical figures. Here, the king and queen are represented on one side by Napoléon (in his familiar tricorne) and his wife Joséphine, and on the opposing side by the earlier French ruler King Henri IV (1553–1610) and his wife Marie de’ Medici. As is often the case in French sets, the bishop is replaced by a jester.
In the early nineteenth century French emperor Napoléon Bonaparte (1769–1821) was a popular subject for chess sets, appearing opposite a variety of historical figures. Here, the king and queen are represented on one side by Napoléon (in his familiar tricorne) and his wife Joséphine, and on the opposing side by the earlier French ruler King Henri IV (1553–1610) and his wife Marie de’ Medici. As is often the case in French sets, the bishop is replaced by a jester.