Caption
Photography credit: Paula Rosenblum
Preview
Exhibition Opening Date
9-1-2021
Description
Chessboard
First half of the 20th century, Japan
K. Hodota & Co. Ltd., Yokohama 横浜保渡田株式会社
Ivory
Gift of Frank A. Gallagher III ’32
This deluxe chess set includes 32 carved pieces and a rosewood carrying case that opens into a board. All carved from ivory (the “black” pieces are stained brown, likely with a wood oil), the game pieces are members of the Japanese social hierarchy: The emperor, the empress, the samurais, the monks, and the pawns are accompanied by a hilltop castle complex modeled after the Himeji Castle. Each figure is carved with details indicating their military and social standing: the emperor wears a brocade robe and carries a sword signal; the samurai rides a horse and wears a full panoply of armor; and the monk puts his palms together devoutly for praying. Although the intended audience for this chess-set is unknown, many sets like this one were created for export for European and American audiences.
Keywords
College of the Holy Cross, student curator, Cantor Resource Gallery, Asian export art