A Cantonese Export ivory "King George" puzzle-ball set of large size, circa 1820
one side stained red, the other side left natural, white king as King George III of England (an heraldic order on his chest and bearing a mace), white queen as Charlotte, white bishops as mandarins, white knights as horsemen archers with bows and a quiver of arrows, white rooks as elephants bearing lattice-work turrets with flag, standard and spear, white pawns as foot-soldiers with sword and shield; red kings and queens as Chinese Emperor and Empress (both with four red flags on their backs) red bishops as mandarins, red knights as horsemen with swords, red rooks as elephants with lattice-work turrets with flag, standard and spear, red pawns as foot-soldiers with spears, all the chessmen over puzzle-balls and circular stepped gadrooned bases, king is 23cm high, queen is 21cm high, bishop 18.5cm, knight 16cm, rook 23.5cm, pawn 13.5cm high, the base of the king is 5.5cm diameter, with an attractive modern presentation attaché case (with an inner tray) in blue leatherette and two metal clasps, made specially for the set, 64cm x 46 cm x 16cm.
Stock Reference: PC 1114
Reference: Carl. L. Crossman, "The Decorative Arts of the China Trade", Antique Collector's Club, pages 294-296.
