Description:

Lot 46. A BONE CHESS PIECE IN THE FORM OF A KING
Middle Ages, Circa 12th/13th Century or Later

Carved from dense, yellowed bone with a smooth, age-worn patina, this sculptural chess piece is fashioned as a crowned king seated on a stepped, curved throne. The upper register bears a domed, rounded top with a central ridge forming the crest of the crown. Below, the throne’s front and sides are decorated in crisp low relief: one face showing a procession of standing figures in long garments, arranged in tightly grouped rows; another depicting mounted warriors in scale-patterned armour, carrying long lances. Additional panels contain vegetal motifs—rosettes, scrolls, and perforated latticework—creating a richly ornamental façade. The surface shows characteristic pitting, encrustation, and minor fissures consistent with burial and long handling.

The underside is flat and undecorated, with heavy wear and irregular texturing that suggests prolonged contact with a playing surface. A shallow circular border remains visible despite surface abrasion.

Chess pieces carved in figural form during the medieval period frequently combined regal imagery with narrative or heraldic motifs, reflecting the social and symbolic stature of the game. Kings were typically the tallest and most elaborately ornamented pieces, embodying themes of authority, leadership, and secular governance.

Measurements: Height 6cm

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December 16, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

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