The Game of Kings: Medieval Ivory Chessmen from the Isle of Lewis
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Museum Exhibits
Nov 15, 2011
to Apr 22, 2012 Official Site
More than 30 of the world’s most famous chess pieces—all part of a hoard unearthed in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, off the west coast of Scotland—will be shown at The Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Created in the mid-12th century, probably in Scandinavia, each piece is a precious miniature sculpture in walrus ivory. The game of chess as we know it today is one of the great legacies of the Middle Ages, and the Lewis chess pieces are among the earliest that include the full cast of characters found on modern boards. Reflecting medieval society in Europe, there are bishops (replacing the elephants of Indian and Persian chess traditions) and queens (supplanting the viziers who stand at the king’s side in Islamic tradition). The Lewis Chessmen are on loan from the British Museum. The exhibition is made possible by the Michel David-Weill Fund.
Author: The Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museums
East 80s
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10028
(212) 535-7710
Site
Map
All events and times are subject to change.
Nov 15, 2011
to Apr 22, 2012 Official Site
More than 30 of the world’s most famous chess pieces—all part of a hoard unearthed in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, off the west coast of Scotland—will be shown at The Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Created in the mid-12th century, probably in Scandinavia, each piece is a precious miniature sculpture in walrus ivory. The game of chess as we know it today is one of the great legacies of the Middle Ages, and the Lewis chess pieces are among the earliest that include the full cast of characters found on modern boards. Reflecting medieval society in Europe, there are bishops (replacing the elephants of Indian and Persian chess traditions) and queens (supplanting the viziers who stand at the king’s side in Islamic tradition). The Lewis Chessmen are on loan from the British Museum. The exhibition is made possible by the Michel David-Weill Fund.
Author: The Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museums
East 80s
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10028
(212) 535-7710
Site
Map
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All events and times are subject to change.