22 August 2014

Chess Set Circa 1540

Ever wonder what chess pieces looked like in the 16th century?


Paris Bordone 1500-1571 [Detail] © Flickr user jean louis mazieres under Creative Commons.

Follow the link to see the full painting (the largest size shows the set particularly well) where the description says,

Paris Bordone. 1500-1571. Venice. Two chess players. [circa] 1540. Berlin Gemäldegalerie.

I suppose that the 'White on right' rule wasn't in effect at that time and that the pieces on e1 and e3 are Kings. More pieces are visible in the bottom right corner of the detail.

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