Chessmen (32)
The set is one of many that illustrate domestic incidents in national history. The subject, presumably the contest beween American Indians and American whites, shows a number of inconsistencies. For example, no such white "cowboy" types fought in such lookouts against American Indians. The crude workmanship and the naivité displayed here make a set like this the opposite of European nineteenth-century "historical" sets, with their careful revival of past ages. Each piece has the engraved signature LEACH on the base.
Artwork Details
- Title: Chessmen (32)
- Maker: Robert Leach
- Date: 20th century
- Culture: American, probably Chicago, Illinois
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: Height (each king): 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm);
Height (each pawn): 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm) - Classification: Chess Sets
- Credit Line: Gift of Gustavus A. Pfeiffer, 1948
- Object Number: 48.174.139a–p, aa–pp
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
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