Workers Club Chess Table attributed to Alexander Rodchenko, 1979

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This is for something very special. A chess table designed by the acclaimed Russian artist, sculptor, designer and founder of … Read more This is for something very special. A chess table designed by the acclaimed Russian artist, sculptor, designer and founder of constructivism Alexander Rodchenko as part of the 'Workers Club' he built for the Soviet Pavillion at the Paris World's Fair of 1925. The artist aimed to create an optimal model space for self-education and cultural leisure activities, including playing chess. The project became very influential in the fields of art and design, and it was of great political significance as well, as it was the first time the Soviet Union would participate in such a major international event.
The original contents of the room (incl. the chess table) have been missing since the middle of the 20th century. There have been a few attempts to reconstruct the chess table, but this has proven to be difficult due to the lack of documentation about the original. The most notable reconstruction has been that of Centre Pompidou in 1979 for the Paris-Moscow Exhibition. In the 1980s a photograph was found of Rodchenko seated at the chess table. In it the table and the backing of the chair appear to be at the same height, while in earlier reconstructions the backing is always placed higher. The present table is in measurements nearly identical to the one at the Centre Pompidou. It is unclear whether this one was made after the design of Centre Pompidou, or whether the table of Centre Pompidou was produced in multiple copies, this being one of them.
Unique piece, the only one for sale online. The table and 2 chairs are one piece.
The table is in very good original condition. The table has never been used as a play table. Of course the chess pieces are with it. And it comes with a paper model (scale 1:7) of the chess table as well. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less