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Antique hand carved sandalwood chess set c1880

Antique hand carved sandalwood chess set. It was made near the southwestern coast of India, probably around Mysore. We do not believe it was made before 1850, and it could easily have been made as late as 1900. Earlier carving (if you can believe it) was actually more intricate, and the ivory squares would also have been more ornately etched. It is difficult to imagine the astounding artistry of the work that Indian carvers produced unless you have seen it. We have studied it at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The form, carving, and ivory work of this set are typical of what was produced during the second half of the 19th century for the British market. Objects such as folding game boards, sewing and needlework boxes, lap desks, and jewel boxes, were produced in great quantities at that time, to satisfy the British demand for "exotic" goods from their colonial empire. You will notice that these chess pieces are European in style, particularly the crowns and turreted castles.

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