Lot 208. A gem set gold chess set, probably South India, circa 1775-1825. Estimate USD 150,000 - USD 250,000. Price realised USD 187,500. © Christie's Images Ltd

Exhibited: The Miho Museum, Koka 2016, pp.58-59, no.31
Grand Palais, Paris 2017, pp.206-07, no,156
The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p.217, no148
The Palace Museum, Beijing 2018, pp.238039, no,152.

Note: The ancient game of chess has been played in India since the sixth century. This set represents the opposing teams through opulent gem set pieces with rubies and emeralds. The gem-settings and the presence of an undeciphered script on the base suggest a South Indian attribution for the present pieces. The script under the base of these pieces is similar to Telegu. If so, then a Hyderabad attribution would be appropriate. Such an attribution becomes more probable as there was a tradition for the Nizams of Hyderabad to marry Ottoman princesses. An earlier gold Ottoman chess set from the sixteenth century in the Topkapi Sarayi Museum has similar shaped pieces decorated with turquoise inlay and rubies (Rogers and Koseoglu, 1987, no. 121a, p.207 and London, 2012, no. 250, p.382). The similarity between our set and this earlier example could indicate a direct influence from the Topkapi example.