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Northern Europe, Germany, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning, complete Selenus chess set, delicately lathe-turned from softwood in hues of walnut, chestnut, and pecan. Each intricate piece features an abstract form comprised of a discoid base supporting a central tiered shaft with decorative elements resembling crowns, horse heads, bishop’s mitre, and other identifying features. Selenus chess sets, like this example, are a style of chess set, in use before the standardization of chess pieces that happened after the Staunton chess set was launched in 1849 by games manufacturer John Jaques of London. The Selenus sets were typical of Germany and Northern Europe and are named after Gustavus Selenus, the pen name of Augustus the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, author of the Chess or the King’s Game (German: Das Schach- oder Konigsspiel), an important chess manual published in the 17th century. Size of largest (King): 1.175″ Diameter x 3.375″ H (3 cm x 8.6 cm); of box: 16.75″ L x 8.5″ W x 2.5″ H (42.5 cm x 21.6 cm x 6.4 cm)
The standard included delicate lathe turned bases and shafts and tiers with circlets resembling crowns. Pieces were distinguished by heights, the number of tiers and sometimes by symbols. These chessmen are also called Garden Chess Sets because their theme frequently consisted of “formal flower gardens” – Kings and Queens were Fountains; Bishops and Pawns were flowers; Knights were gentle horses; and Rooks became civic towers instead of battlements. In England they were frequently called Tulip Chess Sets.
Condition: Board is not included. Several of the pieces have chips and knicks. Both kings have been repaired. Three of the 4 rooks have missing or incomplete flags. Very fragile, but nice remaining detail. Accompanied by wooden box with old Christie’s label.
Provenance: private Alpine, Utah, USA collection; ex-Christie’s London, United Kingdom, “The Kasper Stock Collection of Chess Sets” Sale 5523, May 27, 2004, lot 78; ex-Freeman’s Auction, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, “Fine Chess Sets & Memorabilia,” May 25, 2002, lot 34
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