Chess Piece, Pawn

9th–12th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453

This chess piece was excavated at Nishapur, Iran, at the site of Sabz Pushan—a thriving residential neighborhood throughout the 9th and 12th centuries. Made from glazed pottery, the formal elements of this object, such as its eight-sided base, elongated domical shape, and the small knob on its top (which no longer remains), suggest that it likely functioned as a pawn. It is one of many objects excavated at Nishapur, Iran in 1939 and was 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: Earthenware; molded, pale blue glaze
Dimensions: H. 1 1/8 in. (2.8 cm)
Classification: Gaming pieces
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1940
Object Number: 40.170.423
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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