Joc Catalan - Antonio Gaudi
Joc Catalan designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi in the 30ies - and presented at the Barcelona International Exhibition in 1929 - 5 years before the Civil War put an end to Art Nouveau and Catalan crafts. This is a modern reevocation, following the measures and form of one of the few old sets still existing. King stands 84 mm, lovely polish and finish, varnished and felted.
Carved olivewood chessmen
Well finished chessmen in olive wood, from Catalunya in the 70ies - carved with machine-aid, forthe well known hosue of Escardibul. Later editions were cast in a resin/sawdust mixture! Kings stand 129 mm, are felted, and contained in an attaché case!
Folk style chessmen
Two different sets from the same makers in Catalunya - gaudily painted bands of simply carved chessmen, folkloric style, roguh painting, 1960ies.
Hardwood pieces
Burnished and decorated hardwood pieces, from the 70ies, in wood from the iberian stone oak - similar sets are still being made nowadays. King stands 96 mm, knights are a bit hangnose - and unstable. Felted.
Kleopatra and Julius Cesar
Olive wood set, handwhittled, opposing Kleopatra, plus her appendix husband Ptolemaios to the Romans under Julius Cesar. The black pawns represent mummies, the black bishops the god Ptah, and the rooks are pyramids - slippery to get hold of! on the light side , Cesars wife has an impressive hairdo - height 91 - the pawns are cast as roman milites but the black side is the spectacular one. Olive wood antural and blackened.
