a-rajasthan-figural-chess-set-circa-1840

These highly decorative chess sets from Rajasthan are desirable. Made originally for export to Great Britain, they date from the mid nineteenth century- around the time of the Indian Mutiny. One side represents Indian Forces, the white side the forces of the British East India Company. Pawns from these sets are often shown playing musical instruments, drums and flutes; collectors like to arrange them in procession. The elephants of the King and Queen have trunks wrapped around tigers, at the base- as if in a Tiger Hunt. The British Museum holds a similar example.