Lot #972. Antique Nuremberg “Toy” Chessmen from the Erzgebirge

Description Antique Nuremberg “Toy” Chessmen Offered here is a rare set of Antique Nuremberg “Toy” Chessmen, produced in the Erzgebirge region of Germany around 1840.  The King stands 4-1/4″ tall with a 1-0″ diameter base. The chess pieces are likely crafted from natural and lightly stained pearwood or Plumwood. The chessmen. The woods have mellowed over the years such that there is little difference between the colors of the two armies. The opposing sides are differentiated by small red and green-colored balls mounted atop the heads of the chessmen. The Knights are differentiated by red and green painted noses. “Toy” sets are so named because these sets appeared in the German toy catalogues of the mid-19th century (see “Das Sonneberger Spielzeugmusterbuch, 1831)”. These sets are most likely made in the Erzgebirge region, where Nuremberg pattern sets have been found. The chess pieces are housed in a replacement box. These sets are normally found in “shaker” boxes, few of which have survived.  The antique chessboard shown, probably late 19th century vintage, in not included.   These chessmen play and display best on a chessboard with 1-1/2″ to 1-3/4″ squares. Several suitable antique chessboards for these chessmen can be found elsewhere on this site. Some Background The Ore Mountains (the Erzgebirge) lie along the Czech German border, separating the historical regions of Bohemia in the Czech Republic and Saxony in Germany. “Nuremberg”, the Erzgebirge region and Augsburg as well, were centers for toy makers. They also made several different chess set patterns. Among the Nuremberg pattern sets you will find Selenus and the “Toy” sets. Nuremberg pattern chess sets are very fragile and easily damaged, Complete and undamaged sets are scarce.