Chess set - Soapstone
06
days
11
hours
23
minutes
27
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Elena Napoleone
Holds a bachelor's degree in history of art and architecture, with 12 years of experience in decorative arts.
Estimate € 120 - € 180
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Complete soapstone chessboard from Africa, dating to 1960–1970, with 32 hand-carved pieces in two natural tones, mounted on an octagonal stone base, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Complete chessboard with pieces carved in soapstone – handcrafted – 20th century
Description
Elegant soapstone chessboard, complete with all the original pieces, crafted with refined artisanal workmanship that evokes decorative patterns of Oriental and ethnic taste, highly valued in 20th-century production.
The base features an octagonal shape with a playing area composed of natural stone tiles in various tones, carefully assembled.
The pieces are entirely hand-carved, each with stylized features and solid volumes, made of soapstone in two natural tones (light and pink), with color variations and the characteristic veining of the stone.
The set has a strong visual presence and lends itself not only to playful use but also as a decorative tabletop or display piece, ideal for interiors in vintage, ethnic, or boho style.
Technical specifications
Type: full chessboard with pieces
Material: natural soapstone (soapstone)
Technique: sculpture and artisanal assembly
Base: Octagonal stone chessboard with a square-grid field made of stones in different shades.
Pieces: A complete set of 32 pieces, hand-sculpted pieces, figurative and stylized, two natural colorways (ivory/light and rosy/brown)
Function: board game/decorative object
Curiosity
Soapstone is a material traditionally used for sculpture due to its ease of working and pleasant tactile feel. The chessboards of this type were often purchased as representative objects or high-quality souvenirs, more than as simple games, and were displayed in studios, parlors, or libraries.
Conditions
Chessboard with all the pieces.
Normal wear present, consistent with age.
Some pieces show signs of breakage, small chips, or restorations, visible in the photographs.
Base showing signs of wear and light use.
Overall a stable, intact object that is also aesthetically acceptable.
The conditions are faithfully documented in the images, which are an integral part of the description.
Dimensions:
-Chessboard: 40.5 x 40.5 cm and 0.5 cm thick; Weight 2.22 kg
-Pawns: King 4x3.2x14 cm; Queen 3.2x3.2x10 cm; Knight (Elephant) 5.3x3.7x7.5 cm; Rook 2.8x3x7.2 cm; Bishop 3.3x2.8x9 cm; Pawn 2.5x3x5 cm;
Total weight 2,470 kg.
Shipping
Shipping with professional and careful packaging, designed for stone items.
The lot will be shipped via a tracked courier, using appropriate protective materials to ensure maximum safety during transport.
Complete chessboard with pieces carved in soapstone – handcrafted – 20th century
Description
Elegant soapstone chessboard, complete with all the original pieces, crafted with refined artisanal workmanship that evokes decorative patterns of Oriental and ethnic taste, highly valued in 20th-century production.
The base features an octagonal shape with a playing area composed of natural stone tiles in various tones, carefully assembled.
The pieces are entirely hand-carved, each with stylized features and solid volumes, made of soapstone in two natural tones (light and pink), with color variations and the characteristic veining of the stone.
The set has a strong visual presence and lends itself not only to playful use but also as a decorative tabletop or display piece, ideal for interiors in vintage, ethnic, or boho style.
Technical specifications
Type: full chessboard with pieces
Material: natural soapstone (soapstone)
Technique: sculpture and artisanal assembly
Base: Octagonal stone chessboard with a square-grid field made of stones in different shades.
Pieces: A complete set of 32 pieces, hand-sculpted pieces, figurative and stylized, two natural colorways (ivory/light and rosy/brown)
Function: board game/decorative object
Curiosity
Soapstone is a material traditionally used for sculpture due to its ease of working and pleasant tactile feel. The chessboards of this type were often purchased as representative objects or high-quality souvenirs, more than as simple games, and were displayed in studios, parlors, or libraries.
Conditions
Chessboard with all the pieces.
Normal wear present, consistent with age.
Some pieces show signs of breakage, small chips, or restorations, visible in the photographs.
Base showing signs of wear and light use.
Overall a stable, intact object that is also aesthetically acceptable.
The conditions are faithfully documented in the images, which are an integral part of the description.
Dimensions:
-Chessboard: 40.5 x 40.5 cm and 0.5 cm thick; Weight 2.22 kg
-Pawns: King 4x3.2x14 cm; Queen 3.2x3.2x10 cm; Knight (Elephant) 5.3x3.7x7.5 cm; Rook 2.8x3x7.2 cm; Bishop 3.3x2.8x9 cm; Pawn 2.5x3x5 cm;
Total weight 2,470 kg.
Shipping
Shipping with professional and careful packaging, designed for stone items.
The lot will be shipped via a tracked courier, using appropriate protective materials to ensure maximum safety during transport.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Material
Soapstone
Country of Origin
Africa
Condition
Good
Estimated Period
1960-1970
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