Chess Piece, Pawn

9th–12th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453

This chess piece was excavated in Nishapur, Iran in 1937 at the site of Sabz Pushan—a thriving residential neighborhood throughout the 9th and 12th centuries. Made from carved alabaster, the formal elements of this object, such as its seven-sided base and elongated prismatic shape, suggests that it functioned as a pawn. The traces of black lines and blue pigment on the alabaster stone serve as evidence that it was originally painted. It is one of many objects acquired by the Museum through a division of finds with the Iranian government.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Chess Piece, Pawn
Date: 9th–12th century
Geography: Excavated in Iran, Nishapur
Medium: Alabaster; carved
Dimensions: H. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
Classification: Gaming pieces
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1940
Object Number: 40.170.422
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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