Mid 20th Century Makonde Hand-Carved African Figural Wood Chess Set, Tanzania, 32 Pieces

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Striking vintage hand-carved figural chess set attributed to the Makonde carving tradition of East Africa, most likely Tanzania, circa 1950s–1970s.
… Read more Striking vintage hand-carved figural chess set attributed to the Makonde carving tradition of East Africa, most likely Tanzania, circa 1950s–1970s.
The complete 32-piece set is carved in contrasting reddish-brown and exceptionally dark woods and features wonderfully sculptural interpretations of the traditional chess figures. Rather than conventional Staunton forms, each piece has been individually conceived as a character or architectural form.
The 4-inch kings wear dramatic crenellated crowns, while the queens feature distinctive rounded headdresses. Bishops are represented as robed ecclesiastical figures with tall mitres decorated with incised crosses. Particularly charming are the knights, carved as complete stylized animals rather than conventional horse heads. The rooks take the form of small architectural towers, and the unusually substantial pawns are represented as standing robed figures.
Fine incised lines, small repeating floral or rosette motifs and individually carved facial details give the set a wonderful folk-art quality. The sculptural silhouettes make the pieces equally appealing displayed as decorative objects when the set is not being played.
Each piece has a green felt-covered underside. The pieces are unusually substantial and heavy for their size.

The British Museum maintains a complete carved wooden chess set in its collection catalogued as Makonde, Tanzania, dating approximately 1950–1980. This set is offered as attributed to the Makonde tradition based on its carving, materials, figural vocabulary and construction; no maker’s signature or label has been found.

A wonderful example of mid-century African decorative arts, folk carving and chess design. Dimensions
* King: 4 in. H
* Queen: 3.75 in. H
* Bishop: 3.5 in. H
* Knight: 3.25in. H
* Rook: 3 in. H
* Pawn: 3.25 in. H See less