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Luke Honey | Decorative Antiques, Chess, Backgammon & Games

a-rare-canton-export-napoleon-chess-set-circa-1810

May 08, 2014

A highly unusual- and scarce- chess set. One side represents the Europeans, and the king is depicted as the Emperor Napoleon, with his hands folded. The other side is Chinese and is painted in greens, reds and gilts. Presumably intended for the French- or even British- market at the beginning of the 19th century.

Napoleon sets are relatively rare, but this set has the added attraction of the decorated Chinese side.