Nonfigural chess pieces
Type:
Game pieces
Date:
piece from Norway, thirteenth century,
piece from Spain or North Africa, ninth to eleventh century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Norway
Dimensions:
piece from Norway, 3 × 2.6 cm ,
piece from Spain or North Africa, 3.5 × 1.8 cm
Description:
Excavation of a thirteenth-century house in Tønsberg, Norway, recently uncovered a chess piece decorated with multiple circles. The piece—probably a knight—is made of antler and likely had a lead insert to make it stand up firmly. It resembles a pawn made of jet from Spain or North Africa (ninth–eleventh centuries), which has a similar decoration of circles, much more than it does the twelfth-century Lewis Chessmen that were probably also made in Norway. Such patterns of circles are thought to be apotropaic.
After originating in India, the game of chess spread to Iran and then across the Islamic world; it was introduced to Europe via Islamic Spain. The knight made of antler was certainly carved in Norway, but it may have been inspired by pieces from much farther south.
After originating in India, the game of chess spread to Iran and then across the Islamic world; it was introduced to Europe via Islamic Spain. The knight made of antler was certainly carved in Norway, but it may have been inspired by pieces from much farther south.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
8,
6
Image Credits:
Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU); Metropolitan Museum of Art
