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Unique Handmade Chess Set From Zimbabwe – Circa 1965
€275Bid from €200
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🇳🇱 Dutch
Unique Handmade Chess Set From Zimbabwe – Circa 1965
A special and authentic handmade chess set from Zimbabwe, presumably dating from circa 1965.
The chess set has a particularly personal story. At the time, it was a gift to my grandfather, who worked in an orphanage in Zimbabwe. According to family tradition, the chess set was handcrafted there by residents of the orphanage. This makes it not just a chess set, but a special piece of family history and a tangible reminder of Zimbabwe in the 1960s.
The board is entirely handmade and features a richly decorated dark border with various African animal motifs. The playing field consists of separate wooden squares with beautiful natural variations in color and wood grain.
The chess pieces are also handmade. The light and dark sets consist of various hand-carved animal figures. The pieces are clearly not machine-produced: some are very finely carved, while others are executed somewhat more roughly or crudely. Moreover, a number of pieces show minor damage and signs of use.
This is emphatically part of the character of the chess set. Given its estimated age of approximately 60 years, the manual craftsmanship, and the special provenance, minor imperfections, damage, and variations in finish are perfectly suited to the story and authenticity of the object. It is not a new or factory-made perfect chess set, but a unique handmade object with clear traces of its history. Details
* Origin: Zimbabwe
* Dating: Presumably circa 1965
* Fully handmade
* Gift to my grandfather, who worked in an orphanage in Zimbabwe
* Presumably crafted by residents of the orphanage
* Hand-carved chess pieces featuring various animal figures
* Richly decorated border with African animal motifs
* Beautiful natural wood textures and age patina
* Some pieces are more roughly/clumsily carved
* Minor damage and signs of use are present, consistent with age and handmade craftsmanship
* Not a factory-produced mass-produced item
A special object for lovers of African art, ethnographic objects, vintage chess sets, woodcarving, and unique interior pieces.
Due to the combination of origin, presumed age, craftsmanship, and personal history, this is a chess set with a story that you will not easily come across again. Price:: €275
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🇬🇧 English
Unique Handmade Chess Set From Zimbabwe – Circa 1965
A remarkable and authentic handmade chess set from Zimbabwe, believed to date from around 1965.
This chess set has a particularly personal history. It was originally given as a gift to my grandfather, who worked at an orphanage in Zimbabwe. According to family history, the chess set was handmade there by residents of the orphanage. It is therefore not simply a chess set, but also a unique piece of family history and a tangible reminder of Zimbabwe in the 1960s.
The board is entirely handmade and features a richly decorated dark border with various African animal motifs. The playing surface consists of individually crafted wooden squares, each showing beautiful natural variations in color and grain.
The chess pieces are handmade as well. The light and dark sets consist of individually carved animal figures. They are clearly not machine-produced: some pieces are finely carved, while others are noticeably rougher or more crudely carved. Several pieces also show minor damage and signs of age and use.
These imperfections are very much part of the character of the set. Considering its presumed age of around 60 years, its handmade construction and its unique provenance, the small imperfections, damage and variations in craftsmanship are entirely consistent with its history and authenticity. This is not a new or factory-perfect chess set, but a unique handmade object bearing visible traces of its past.
Details
* Origin: Zimbabwe
* Date: Believed to be circa 1965
*Completely handmade
* Originally given as a gift to my grandfather, who worked at an orphanage in Zimbabwe
* Believed to have been made by residents of the orphanage
* Hand-carved chess pieces depicting various animals
* Richly decorated border featuring African animal motifs
* Beautiful natural wood grain and aged patina
* Some pieces are more roughly/crudely carved than others
* Minor damage and signs of use consistent with its age and handmade character
*Not a mass-produced factory item
A wonderful object for collectors and enthusiasts of African art, ethnographic objects, vintage chess sets, woodcarving and distinctive interior pieces.
The combination of its Zimbabwean origin, presumed age, handmade craftsmanship and personal history makes this a chess set with a story that is unlikely to be found again.
Asking Price: €275
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsBrownMaterialWoodNumber of items1Height6 cmWidth69 cmDepth69 cmSigns of usageDents
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About this seller
Private sellerGroningen, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since January 2025 • 2 sales