Chessmen (32)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although it is figural, this set was made for playing. The kings kneel and hold scepters; the queens are represented by generals although they are called viziers or counselors, and they bear swords. The elephant, instead of being in his original position (next to the king), has, as is common in Indian chess, displaced the rook at the corner of the board. In his own place is a camel. The knight is represented by a horse head. The pawns are small standing men, unarmed, wearing kiltlike skirts.

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art