**First Time At Auction**

Western Europe, France, ca. late 18th to 19th century CE. A wonderful, rare wooden chess set of the Directoire style, meaning that the knight is of abstract design rather than in the form of a horse's head which distinguishes from Regence sets. Boasting natural woodgrain surfaces in hues of deep espresso and warm butterscotch, the set is hand-turned from boxwood and ebony. The lovely set features tulip-crowned kings, queens with spiral finials, knights that are taller than bishops with domed caps, bishops with cut, notched collars, rooks as turrets, and pawns with slim shafts and rounded bases. "Directoire" sets have been made from beginning of the 18th century. They gained popularity as a more economic alternative for the "Regence" sets as the knights did not need to be carved. Now, however, they boast a higher value than Regence sets due to their rarity. Size of largest (king): 1" Diameter x 3.4" H (2.5 cm x 8.6 cm)

The name for the sets is a bit odd, because Directoire is the name for the final four-year period (1795-1799) of the French Revolution, when there was a five-member government called the Directory. However, Directoire chess sets have been made in a much longer period.

Please note that the chess board is not included with this set.

Provenance: private Alpine, Utah, USA collection, acquired from an antique shop in Paris, France

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#185156

Please note that the chess board is not included with this set. Some light surface wear and a few stable hairline fissures that are barely noticeable, but otherwise intact and excellent. Complete set with smooth surfaces and nice finish.