Chess Boxes
Chess Boxes might mean many things - for example folding boxboards, cassettes with a chessboard lid - or simply boxes chess pieces are kept in. In this last sense, older chess pieces over time land in the most varied containers - and this to me is interesting. Collecting boxes is a wellfledged hobby on its own - boxes are not essential to chess, obviously, but - an intriguing side rail all the same....
Peonies
Delicate box, finely laquered in yelow, showing peonies - must be from Japan!
Slidetop box
Standard slidetop box, end 19th C - but with a diference - the slide cover moves sideways, no longitudinal! Swallowtail jointures, which is why the box is still around...
Miniature box
Tiny box, measuring 65 x 47 x 33 mm! One single swallowtail joint - still around from the 19th C. contains a chinese pocket set, so probably made in China.
POW chessmen box
p.w. Schachfiguren - a rough and roughly painted box with gothic writing stating contents - chesspieces made by a prisoner of war. |
Metal strings
Modern box with metal string incrusted in the polished hardwood surface - Indonesia? |
Jewelbox
Strongly made jewelry box for a woman - probably morocco or other arabian country, with opulent copper appliques. |
Veneer inlay
Veneer inlay box, sealed - must have been made for trinkets. |
Sarcophagus
19th C british box, aptly named sarcophagus - probably because it ressembles stone sarcophaguses in churches. |
Carved Box
Carved box with bone inlay - India or kashmir. |
Fruit Cake
... somebody ate the cake, now its chess pieces. |
Tobacco box 1
Containing a St. George set, a light former tobacco box. |
Cigar box
Cigar box with intricate rounded and polished swallowtail joints. Light wood, copiouly inscribed with the cigar makers pub. |
Fink
Inlaid bird (fink?) - tiny pieces inside. |
Treasure casket
Massive tresure casket with leather straps fittings, containing a carved chess set cum board. |
Tobacco 2
Lid of a 19th C tobacco box. |
Lardy box from the 30ies
Excellently made Lardy slidetop box from the 30ies, finely joined walls, red varnish, - contains a well-made weighted early Lardy set. |
