India has been known for its artistic wood engravings for thousands of years. Proof of this is the amazing sandalwood and rosewood chess game we have here at the Chessmen Museum.

This contemporary chess set from India was purchased in 1980. Mr Glotzbach found it in the Fair Trade shop in the village of Wassenaar. It made quite the impression on him, as proves the description of the chess pieces in the collection´s catalogue. Mr Glotzbach usually devoted only a single phrase to most of his chess games, but he wrote a text of almost thirty lines for this set. With good reason, he gave a very detailed description of the design of these pieces. There is a lot to see, especially when you take a close look at them.

Indian chess set made of sandalwood and rosewood. J.M. Glotzbach Collection nr. 44

The light chess pieces are made of sandalwood and the black ones are carved out of rosewood. They contain, and I quote Mr Glotzbach, ‘elaborately carved horizontal, diagonal and vertical figures in eight layers’. This is followed by a comprehensive description of the carved out sequins around the top of the king and queen, the bishop´s oval-shaped notches, the engraved mane and bridle of the knight, the five layered blocks of the rook and the pawns´ wide collars with seven tiny leaves on them. It is a professional piece of work, delivered by a true craftsman.

Wooden toys
Sandalwood has been a very popular material in India ever since ancient times, not only to construct with but also to produce dolls and other kinds of toys with. The holy city of Benares, which was founded around 700 BC, is one of the oldest cities in the world and for centuries it was famous for its painted wooden toys. Today, the antique toys from this region can be found in museums around the world.

Panorama of the holy city of Benares
(Mirrormundo via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

In ancient India, the wood engraver alias carpenter was an important person in society. He constructed chariots for the warriors and would often ride around in one as well. Men with the occupation of carpenter were already featured in the Rig Veda, the oldest religious Hindu manuscript, which originated between 1700 and 1100 BC. No distinction was made between the manufacturing of wooden products and the decorating of these products with engravings. Within the field of architecture, wood engravings were also a very popular and highly developed art form in India.

Animals and cabinets

It is not known which Indian region this Glotzbach chess set is from, but it could be the Mysore district. This area was well-known for the production of intricate sandalwood figurines around the time these chess pieces were made. The craftsmen of the region manufactured abundantly decorated wood engravings of animals such as elephants, tigers, peacocks and cows. They carved out hunting scenes, celebrations or ceremonies and mythological themes in relief.

Nowadays, these artistic carvings from India are back in vogue, especially in the furniture manufacturing business. Beautifully decorated and colourful cabinets, tables and chairs adorn a lot of living rooms these days. The chess set from the J.M. Glotzbach Collection stands safely in its display case, and is certainly worth having a close look at.

By Marjolein Overmeer