mid 19th century, chess set (complete) with folding lacquered and gilt wood playing board and 32 carved ivory pieces, white pieces in the form of European rulers and soldiers, red pieces in the form of Chinese rulers and soldiers, in square lacquered and gilt decorated wood case with hinged lid, 5-1/4 x 9-1/4 x 9-1/4 in.; together with a reproduction image of a Safavid manuscript printed on wood panel, 10-1/2 x 8-3/8 in.

Provenance: Private Bluffton, South Carolina Collection

Note: The chess set is accompanied by a letter from the original owner, a Dr. Ruschenberger of Philadelphia, dated Dec. 1894. Before declaring his intentions to gift the set to the recipient, a Dr. Moorehead of Philadelphia, he recounts: "While I was surgeon of the fleet of the East India Squadron on board of the U.S. Flag Ship Plymouth, I purchased in Canton a set of chess playing materials in 1849, under an idea, then in the far off future, they might help to divert some leisure hours of my present retirement days..."?This lot contains animal or plant material that may be restricted under federal, state and/or local law. Prospective bidders should check all applicable government wildlife restrictions prior to placing a bid. The buyer is solely responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses or permits from federal, state and/or local authorities applicable to their purchase or transport of the object. Please note that bidders in New Jersey may not bid on any lots containing elephant ivory, mammoth ivory, or rhinoceros horn.

surface dirt and accretion, chess pieces with a few scattered losses (primarily to pawns' weapons), three red pieces broken off but retained, case with scattered scratches, bumps, and small edge chips, some rubbing and losses to gilt decoration, bottom panel with large crack and separation, playing board with a few cracks and separations throughout; panel with some bumps and paint loss (especially at corners)