Cantonese Export "Burmese" Ivory Chess Set, ca. 1820-1850

Cantonese Export Ivory Chess Set, "Burmese" Pattern, ca. 1820-1850

Cantonese export ivory set carved in the "Burmese" pattern presumably dating to the early /mid 19th century. Kings stand 11.5 cm (4.5"). One side stained in green, the other side left natural. The kings with pierced "Fleur de Lys" foliage crowns and cross finials. The queens similar, but of smaller size with bud finials. The bishops with engraved mitres. The knights as horses' heads. The rooks as foliate turrets with relief carved brickworks surmounted by flags, the green rooks with crenellation, the white rooks without. The pawns with baluster knobs. All pieces with leaf-tip bases.

These sets are referred to as "Burmese", because this pattern was originally attributed to Burmese craftsmen. However, recent research, inter alia by Michael Mark, has established that these sets were actually made in Canton for the European market (cf. Michael Mark, Antique Indian Chess Sets, published by Förderkreis Schach-Geschichtsforschung e.V., 1997, p.36).

Most "Burmese" pattern chess sets were produced in red/natural colour. The combination green/natural, while not unseen, is much more rare. 

The 1968 movie "The Thomas Crown Affaire" starred not only Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen, but also a very similar chess set. You can find a link to the scene below.
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