Lot #R356. Vintage Michoacán Tarasco Saint George Style Chessmen

Description Vintage Michoacán Tarasco Saint George Style Chessmen. This impressive set of vintage Michoacán Tarasco Saint George chessmen was produced in the Purépecha region of Michoacán, Mexico. It features native bone-accented bold black lacquered and natural cream tones with elaborate hand-carved geometric patterns characteristic of traditional Tarasco woodworking. The Saint George style construction typical of mid-20th century Michoacán folk art chessmen, with beautifully detailed carving throughout the bodies and distinctive bone or ivory-like finials and distinctive knight heads. The King stands 5-1/8″ tall with a 1-1/2″ diameter base. All the chess pieces are felted. The pieces are a modern Mexican interpretation of the popular Victorian chess pieces designed specifically for the Saint George Chess Club, originally reconstituted in 1833 in Cavendish Square, London, and later moved to 20 King Street, S.W. in the City of London. These Tarasco Saint George Chessmen were made by skilled artisans in the Purépecha region during the 1940s–1960s. The combination of substantial size, strong black-and-natural contrast, and fine hand-carving makes this an especially attractive and authentic example of regional Mexican folk-art chessmen. A dramatic and highly decorative chess set that would display beautifully on a dark chessboard or as a statement piece in a collection of Mexican or folk-art chessmen. The ensemble is in Excellent original condition. A charming find for collectors of vintage Mexican, folk art chessmen. The Spanish Black and white veneer chessboard shown is not part of this offering, but an appropriate folding chessboard and storage box combination, not shown, is included.