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Tyroleans and Slovenes chessmen (32)

19th century
Not on view
The classic oppositon of Christian and Muslim seems here to be presented as an opposition between Tyroleans and one of the Muslim peoples within the Austro-Hungarian Empire (possibly in an area of modern Yugoslavia, such as Bosnia-Herzegovina). The dress of the queens is clearly modeled on the styles of the period 1828 to 1835, but the pieces are undoubtedly of later date. The king of the Christian side bears a strong resemblance to Emperor Franz Josef and may be taken from a youthful portrait of him. The Muslims are the light side.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tyroleans and Slovenes chessmen (32)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Culture: Austrian, Tyrol
  • Medium: Wood, blond and medium blond
  • Dimensions: Height (brown king, confirmed): 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm);
    Height (brown pawn, confirmed): 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm);
    Height (white king, confirmed): 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm);
    Height (white pawn, confirmed): 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm)
  • Classification: Chess Sets
  • Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948
  • Object Number: 48.174.50a–p, aa–pp
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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