Indian Ivory Chess Set, first half of the 20th century

A very impressive ivory chess set with a king size of 11.8 cm. The pieces are turned and carved from ivory. The typical Schreger lines can be well seen on many pieces, in particular on the last picture. The white side is natural, the black side is distinguished merely by circular rings in black colour on the bases and in some cases additionally on the heads or stems. The kings with beautifully ornamented hoop crowns. The queens with coronets resembling flower petals. The rooks as turrets with brickwork pattern and conical tops. The knights as horses heads with bent necks and showing their teeth. The bishops with mitre cuts. The pawns baluster shaped with a flat conical hat and a small spherical top.

I received this set from a collector in Paris, who assumed that the pieces are of Russian origin. While the style is not entirely clear (the rooks, for example, resemble old Dutch sets), I believe that the set was made in India. The distinction via coloured circular markings on the bases and the pieces itself as well as the ornamented style of the crowns are typical features of Indian sets. I believe the set dates back to the first half of the 20th century.