Chess set

Date1830-1839

MediumWood, card, pigment

DimensionsObject/Work: 121 x 168.5 x 36 mm

ClassificationsToys/games/models/sports

Terms

Object numberC04547

Description32 circular counters of turned wood in a box made of thin orange painted wood with a sliding card top. The counters are painted yellow with a red Chinese character, and red with a blue Chinese character.

These counters are used in the game of Xianqi or Chinese chess. The game is thought to have been invented in India, but is mentioned in Chinese texts as early as the Warring States Period. It represents a battle between two armies, with the objective of capturing the others general. The game consists of 32 circular pieces of wood, each with its name and value carved on each side. Each set consists of the following pieces: Advisor, Cannon, Chariot, Elephant, General, Horse and Soldier.

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