These chess pieces in the photograph are unusual for three reasons.
First, unusually, these pieces are made of wax, the wax being the consistency of candle wax.
Second, most unusually, I was not able to find any helpful information on the Internet, not finding anything on chess pieces made of wax.
Third, it is most unusual for me to create an artificial backdrop for the subject of a photograph – in this case I used a freshly ironed piece of black cloth.
The Emperor/King and Empress/Queen chess pieces, viewed from the front and the back. To give an idea of size, the Emperor piece is 11 cm high
Here is what I know: I inherited these seven chess pieces from my aunt. There were no other pieces and no chess board.
Here are four guesses: They date from the 1940s at the very latest, but are likely older than that.
The name of the design is “Chinese Imperial” – guess based on some images I saw on the Internet.
They could have belonged to relatives of my aunt’s husband who lived somewhere in East Asia, possibly in China, in the early 1900s.
As they are made of wax they were likely made in a mould and would probably have been painted gold after they were removed from the mould.
The Emperor/King piece, between two upturned pieces showing their waxy bases smeared with gold paint
Here is what I wonder: Where were they made, and were they made commercially and then sold, or were they made at home using a bought mould? And what age are they really? I also wonder if anyone seeing this post might be able to shed any light on these pieces and their age or origin?
This post is in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Unusual”. For images from other bloggers on this theme, click here
Posted by Carol
August 22, 2017 at 8:51 am
This is fascinating. I have some knowledge of western chess but not Chinese chess. I do know that Chinese Chess as 9 pieces in the back row vs the 8 of western chess and 7 in front but not directly in front. Thus if you see a set which looks Chinese but has 8 pieces in the back row it is a western set with Chinese figurines and likely to be much younger than a proper Chinese chess set can potentially bet. Chinese chess does not have a queen or “female” in its set up. As the emperor and his wife features on yours it probably a western set with Chinese figurines. That can still make it as old as what you are referring to but not hundreds of years old. But how old I do not know.
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August 22, 2017 at 9:22 am
Thanks so much Abrie. This is really interesting and useful information, and makes me lean even more towards the idea that this set was made at home using a kit of commercially produced moulds, with the maker using melted candle wax that was poured into the moulds. After removing the moulds (after the wax had set), the maker then painted the figures with gold paint.
I have only now Googled “moulds for making Imperial Chinese chess sets”, and found someone in the UK selling just such sets of latex moulds on eBay! I had not searched using the term “moulds” before.
I suspect then, that these figures were made by my aunt or uncle (or relative), probably in the 1940s or a decade or so earlier (or even later?). Hence the different coloured waxes used and the gold paint smeared across the bases.
Perhaps this solves the mystery?
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August 22, 2017 at 9:38 am
No I do not think the mystery is necessarily solved. Your chess pieces would certainly not have been made with a modern mould but at least you know it is a western Chinese set. If made from a mould it would be interesting to know what mould and the age of the set and the mould. Fun interacting with you
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August 22, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Yes it would be interesting to know! I will persevere a little more before declaring it solved! Thanks for the info and input.
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July 26, 2017 at 10:24 am
Wow, they are indeed unusual.
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July 26, 2017 at 3:12 pm
It would be great to find out more about them.
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July 26, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Yes I agree but I have never heard about these before. Good wishes.
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July 22, 2017 at 8:33 am
They do indeed seem to have lasted well. Hope some of your commenters will be able to help with their history. If they can. do let us all know.
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July 23, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Thanks Margaret. Yes, I will say if there is any follow-up.
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July 21, 2017 at 7:07 am
Fascinating. If you like, I could pass the pictures to my friend who is an expert in Oriental antiquities at the V&A in London. She might shed a little light for you ….
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July 21, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Hi Osyth. Thanks so much. It would be interesting to know more, but only if you and she have the time. They probably are not very old, and may be some kind of copy. I can’t help being intrigued by them. I have also inherited a few brass and porcelain pieces that appear to be Chinese. I suspect that the handsomest porcelain vase is a copy imitating an older style, but it is still lovely to have. I am something of a squirrel as you might have guessed 🙂
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July 22, 2017 at 8:44 am
Fellow squirrels are always welcomed. I will ask her and see if she can cast an opinion 🙂
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July 23, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Thanks so much! Any snippet of information will be interesting. I do love to keep old things – even ordinary everyday pieces have a kind of patina that is entirely absent in new things. Glad to know that you are a fellow squirrel 🙂
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July 21, 2017 at 6:19 am
I love a mystery and you have inspired me to bring to light my own at some stage: a collection of wooden soldiers from India. I hope somebody recognises your wax figures and is able to add to what you have already ‘figured’ out – they are very intriguing!
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July 21, 2017 at 6:27 am
Thanks Anne. I hope so too. The wooden soldiers sound interesting. (I have a weakness for puns so thanks for that too!)
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July 21, 2017 at 12:12 am
Pretty unusual indeed – and quite beautiful. Cannot believe you couldn’t find anything about them!
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July 21, 2017 at 5:43 am
Thanks Tina. It is strange I have not been able to find information on them. I would love to know how they were made.
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July 20, 2017 at 9:21 pm
They have lasted really well. I think the paint offers a degree of protection and they live in a glass fronted cabinet. The “Emperor” has retained the best definition and colour. The two slenderer figures have lost the most definition, especially the facial features.
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July 20, 2017 at 9:16 pm
I agree with Eliza. One would think the shapes would have deteriorated
more over time.
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July 20, 2017 at 9:12 pm
What I find amazing is that they didn’t melt or become misshapen during the summers in the intervening years.
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