Two Chess Pawns (attr. Edward Bird 1772-1819) tinplate plane Late Qing Dynasty

Late Qing Dynasty

bishops with elegant ball finials over canted knops

one white rook and one black rook with red crown on side of base

rooks as slender domed turrets

Two Chess Pawns (attr. Edward Bird 1772-1819) tinplate plane Late Qing DynastyTwo carved ivory chess pawns attributed to a design by Edward Bird R. A. (1772 1819), unstained natural ivory, in Roman dress with oval shields, swords, plumed helmets and tunics over stepped circular bases, one pawn signed Robert Hill in pencil on the underside of the base, 7cm high, 3. 1cm wide (2). Stock Reference Number: MM 1506 Provenance: Major British Chess Collection, Gilbert Woolmark, Sothebys Belgravia, Lot 39, 15th April 1980 (the property