Fine Rajasthan figural chess set, circa 1840

An Indian Export Ivory Figural Chess Set, Rajasthan, circa 1840

painted and lacqured, one side predominantly red with gilt highlights, the other side red, with gilt highlights, kings as elephants with howdahs carrying a mahout and two princes, queens similar but of smaller size, bishops as camels (one side with drums), knights as horsemen with spears, rooks as elephants, gilt rockets to the side with riders and flags, pawns as footsoliders, two with flags, two with bows, two with swords, and two with arquebus, in a dark green custom leather and gilt tooled presentation case of rectangular shape (the interior lined in green felt, with a pull-out tray and twin brass button locks) specially made for the Philip Pfeifer Collection

King: 14cm high

Pawn: 5.5cm high

Presentation Case: 52.6cm wide

Stock Referencer: MM 1515

Provenance: Major British Chess Collection; Property of the Marshall Chess Club, New York; Sotheby’s New York; Lot 669, October 23rd 1980, formerly in the Collection of Phillip Pfeifer

Important Notice on the Export of Antique Elephant Ivory (CITES)

Please note that as the chess set contains antique elephant ivory it will require a CITES export licence to export to destinations outside the European Union. Due to recent US legislation, it is with regret that we are unable to export this item to the United States of America. Please contact me if you need further information.