A “Charlemagne” Pearwood Chess Set, Switzerland, 19th Century
finely carved and raised on socle bases, one side in a darker coloured wood, kings wearing crowns and holding upturned swords, queens in Medieval dress holding sceptres, bishops with tasselled caps and holding spears, knights as rearing horses, rooks as pierced Medieval turrets, pawns individually carved and in different positions with ti-corn hats and holding staffs
King: 12cm high
Pawn: 8.1cm high
Provenance: Major British Chess Collection
Reference: VIctor Keats, Chessmen for Collectors, page 80; Michael Mark, “Chessmen, Practical and Ornamental”, Asprey & Chess Collectors International, May 12- 24, 1986, figure 25.
