Masterworks: Rare and Beautiful Chess Sets of the World
Edited with introduction by Dylan Loeb McClain. Text by Dr. George Dean, Jon Crumiller, Larry List, Will Wiles.
The world's most gorgeous and unusual chess sets, spanning hundreds of years and five continents
Chess, one of the world’s most popular games, has inspired artists for hundreds of years. Though apparently offering a limited canvas—each set has 32 pieces, each board 64 squares—sets have nevertheless been designed in countless ways, using almost every imaginable material, from precious metals, to ivory and rock crystal. They have taken many forms, from figural to abstract, and used many diverse themes, from the historical and political to the beauty and variety of the animal kingdom.
This book brings together some of the most beautiful and unusual chess sets ever made. Spanning hundreds of years and five continents, they are culled from private collections and museums, and include 200 year-old sets made by nameless Indian craftsmen, sets by Peter Carl Fabergé, sets from Soviet gulag prisoners, and sets by leading artists of the 20th century, such as Max Ernst.
Each set has been specially photographed for this book, with detailed insights provided by an exceptional group of experts: Dr. George Dean, Jon Crumiller, Larry List and Will Wiles (Dezeen), with an introduction by the book’s editor, Dylan Loeb McClain, former New York Times chess columnist.
Featured image is reproduced from 'Masterworks: Rare and Beautiful Chess Sets of the World.'
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
Wallpaper
Tom Howells
Delves into the wider, richer world of chess set design – one informed by politics, social upheaval, folklore, contemporary movements in art and design and more. Edited by former New York Times chess columnist Dylan McClain and designed and published by Fuel, Master Works: Rare and Beautiful Chess Sets of the World runs a startlingly broad gamut.
Wall Street Journal
Alexandra Wolf
Showcases striking boards and pieces from the past five centuries.
Collectors Weekly
Masterworks: Rare and Beautiful Chess Sets of the World...features exquisitely crafted games originating in a wide variety of countries, cultures, and eras.
in stock $47.50
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FORMAT: Hbk, 8 x 10.5 in. / 232 pgs / 156 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $47.50 LIST PRICE: CANADA $65 ISBN: 9780993191169 PUBLISHER: FUEL Publishing AVAILABLE: 2/28/2017 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA ONLY
Masterworks: Rare and Beautiful Chess Sets of the World
The world's most gorgeous and unusual chess sets, spanning hundreds of years and five continents
Published by FUEL Publishing. Edited with introduction by Dylan Loeb McClain. Text by Dr. George Dean, Jon Crumiller, Larry List, Will Wiles.
Chess, one of the world’s most popular games, has inspired artists for hundreds of years. Though apparently offering a limited canvas—each set has 32 pieces, each board 64 squares—sets have nevertheless been designed in countless ways, using almost every imaginable material, from precious metals, to ivory and rock crystal. They have taken many forms, from figural to abstract, and used many diverse themes, from the historical and political to the beauty and variety of the animal kingdom.
This book brings together some of the most beautiful and unusual chess sets ever made. Spanning hundreds of years and five continents, they are culled from private collections and museums, and include 200 year-old sets made by nameless Indian craftsmen, sets by Peter Carl Fabergé, sets from Soviet gulag prisoners, and sets by leading artists of the 20th century, such as Max Ernst.
Each set has been specially photographed for this book, with detailed insights provided by an exceptional group of experts: Dr. George Dean, Jon Crumiller, Larry List and Will Wiles (Dezeen), with an introduction by the book’s editor, Dylan Loeb McClain, former New York Times chess columnist.