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The Parrot's
Show Cage #1

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write to The Parrot.  Your answers will be featured here.

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Cage 1 - Polish Chess Set
 

Can Chessville readers supply information on this beautiful old set?

The only clue is carved into the box as says “Krynica”, which is a district in Poland.

1)  Is this a Polish made set? 2)  When would it have been made? 3)  Is it typical of the style of the region? 4)  Who is being represented by the pieces? 5)  Are there similar sets representing other people? 6)  What is the estimated worth of this “Krynica” set? 7)  The set is obviously not turned but hand-carved, The Parrot wants to know if the set is factory-made or from an individual craftsman. 8)  Is it a one-off design and unique, or if popular, how many sets like this would have been produced? 9)  Have any readers attempted to hand-carve a set [that is, not turned on a lathe], what tools, woods do you recommend? 10)  Can anyone say how long it would take to carve and paint a set of this quality?

These pictures have been provided by a Chessville reader who owns the set and would like to discover more about it.

Do you have any information about this Show Cage?
Write to The Parrot !!
 

Reader's Responses:

• I can confirm that the white pieces are uplanders (or mountaineers) from Poland - that's 100% sure.  I don't think they represent individual persons.  Though Slovak and Czech uplanders looks quite similar, the name Krynica indicates Polish origin of the piece set.  Krynica is a well known health resort in the south of Poland.  The dark pieces looks to me like highland robbers, the hat of the dark king is very typical.  As these two groups were often fighting in 18 and 19 century, this matches with battle between them on the chessboard.  The judgment about the pieces being Polish army and historical individuals doesn't seem to be correct in my opinion.  - Acmand, Poland

• No doubt that this is a chess set with pieces depicting people from the mountains (so-called Gorals -> gora = mountain).  Beautifully carved chess pieces indicate that this chess set is of great value.

• Krynica appears to have held chess tournaments in the past.  According to Mapquest there are 4 cities/Towns with the name of Krynica.  If the box indication is in English rather than Polish then the set was probably imported to the U.S.

• The artwork appears to be similar to a cowboy set located on
  http://www.terraqueous.co.uk/images/Chess/cowboys.JPG.  The set in Question:  If I could see a full figure picture of the set: King, Queen, Bishops, Knights, Rooks, and Pawns, I (possibly) could determine what the set is about.  It very possible it is a copy of the Polish Army of the early 19th Century.  The Knights (Without a rider) resemble the Winged Knights.  The Polish Winged knights were the "Tanks of the 19th Century". Very feared.  Guessing: The Pawns, or so they appear are painted in White with a collar with some paint collar.  The only unit in Poland that wore White, was the 13th Rgt. with lt. blue collar, and white buttons. (Just a guess). The other Rgts. all wore dark blue.  The King - another Guess- resembles Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki (1640-1673) Michael Korybut, son of a military hero, was unable to master the complexities of this environment nor to pull a divided nation together. During his reign, the once secure southern borders and alliances began to unravel.
  The Queen: Is it Queen Christina of Sweden. If you see a picture of the Queen, and take a few liberties, there could be a match. Christina declared herself Queen of Poland at one time. Hedwig a young Queen of Poland, late 14th Century had Pig tails.  The other pieces are of course costumes. But I can not match the time frame.

If you have a chess-related item that you would like to discover more about,
write to The Parrot.  Your answers will be featured here.

Please visit our sponsors:

This is the first chess collecting/historical site that features over 300 autographs from collectors around the world with photographs, letters, rare documents etc.. When you're a part of the Baysholiss Collection there is no turning back to history books...you can see all the history you want right at your fingertips!"  -  Lawrence Totaro

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