Americas

Argentina. This is an interesting set, purchased during the 1978 Olympiad in Buenos Aires. The white pieces consist of indigenous Indians. The black are the Spanish rulers supported by latin people.

Bolivia. King and Queen are busts of Bolivian Indians. The King with traditional hat and the Queen with two braids. A lama, since pre-Columbian times in South America at home, acts as a Knight. The Rook is based on the famous Iñaq Uyu in Lake Titicaca. Bishop and pawn his guards, a motif which is repeated in the leg of the table. Also on the Board are repeated motifs of the pieces. The table leg is hollow and can act as box for the pieces.

Brazil. I have 4 of these sets. The sets are  made in the style of the North-Western folk art in Brazil, which is founded in the 1940s by the Brazilian artist Vitalino Pereira dos Santos Neto (1909-1963). Manually designed sculptures show caricatures of politicians and soldiers, of priests and saints or of the legendary Bandit Lampiao and Maria Bonita his life's companion. Sometimes you see a more undefined kind of authority figures. The knights are riders and the rooks are small houses. Pawns bear kick or something else on their shoulder. Associated board is a baked tile on which a chessboard painted. The 1st set is without board and is particularly finely made by Leonildo do Nascimento, a Brazilian artist. The 2nd set, also fine, is made by José Vitalino Neto, as is written on the associated board. I do not know the maker(s) of the more coarse sets 3 and 4, which were together at purchase and are probably from the same workshop.

The creations of Vitalino Pereira dos Santos Neto became iconographic and inspired the formation of several generations of artists, especially in Alto do Moura in Caruaru, which were influenced by the master and of which the following stand out: Manuel Eudócio (Mestre Eudócio), Severino Vitalino (son of the master), Elias Vitalino (master's grandson), Marliete Rodrigues, Socorro Rodrigues, Seu Elias and many others. I did not found 2nd set maker José Vitalino Neto, but I think he was also related to the master. The Portuguese word "neto" means "grandson" and he lived also in Alto do Moura in Caruaru, as is written on the associated board as well.

Colombia. Actually these sets are normally said to be from Ecuador. But I do not exclude Colombia having Tagua nuts as well. And this is a somewhat older set. I have listed other Tagua sets at the Ecuador page. The inner part of the Tagua nut, found in South America, is called vegetable ivory for its resemblance to animal ivory. Until today it is used for all kinds of objects such as chess sets and also for jewellery.

Ecuador. These Tagua nut sets are from Ecuador, although I have a somewhat older one listed at Colombia page. The inner part of the Tagua nut, found in South America, is called vegetable ivory for its resemblance to animal ivory. Until today it is used for all kinds of objects such as chess sets and also for jewellery.

Ecuador. This Tagua nut set from Ecuador does have a bird motif. It is a larger and better carved as usual. Vulture as King, eagle as Queen, bird of prey as Bishop, a brooding bird as Knight and owl as Rook. Penguins act as pawns. In the auction catalogue this set was listed as from Peru, and that is possible but I'm almost sure it is from Ecuador.

Ecuador. The design of these 2 identical ceramic sets in Gothic-style could origin in France 1st half of 19th century. I'm thinking on Limoges porcelain. Today you find these mainly in America in ceramic. But it is copied by many. Different artists claim this game as theirs. So did Han Theuns (Dutch trader) claim that Jackie Bouw did design it specially in honor of Gari Kasparov!

The makers of these sets call it ceramic, but it looks more like Potter's stuff. The pieces are hollow inside. First time I saw the pieces they were part of a mobile. To the mobiles they have a hole on the top, so that they can hang on strings. At these sets only at one brown pawn! I have 2, because I thought the size difference was a mistake and did order another intending to equal size of white and brown pieces. But the new one was exactly the same! Actually that was to be expected, because the mobiles did have white and brown figures in different sizes.

On the USA (Americas) page you find more info about sets of this shape.

Ecuador. The small ceramic game with Spanish conquerors against native Indians was a gift. It was said from Ecuador, but I do sometimes think it is from Peru. Who can tell for sure?

Mexico. The obsidian set is one of my favourites. Actually I do have that set much longer as I am collecting. It was a present of my father in law, who bought it in Mexico on one of his business trips. King, Queen, Bishop and pawn have native American motifs of the Mixtec (16th century). They are squat figures with the hands on the knees. Knight and Rook have a more Staunton-like design. The color of the material depends on the incidence of light. So can the black pieces even seem white!

Mexico. The small malachite set with Indian motives was a gift that I never did unpack to keep it new!?

Peru. These small ceramic sets are a.o. made for the fair trade market. The 1st set was imported by the Foundation Cusco Peru in the Netherlands. This Foundation was run by a single woman, Rosa Maria Noom-Serrudo. She imported arts and crafts from Peru, Mexico and Guatemala and did so only for the fair trade shops in the Netherlands [July 2018: I got a message that the foundation does not exist any more]. The 2nd set was bought at Emporio Titano, San Marino. On one side the King, Queen, Bishop and pawn as Western figures, probably clergy. King, Queen, Bishop and pawn of the other side are Inca figures. Notable difference is that the Western party has a real horse, while the Inca party has a lama as Knight. The Rooks are grove construction work.

USA. This is a well known set which must have been made in huge quantities. Normally there is a little booklet, but that is missing this time.

USA. The pewter Disney set has a larger variant (3 3/4"=9.5 cm), but that is much rarer as this one, which is on its turn rarer as he plastic sets. We see Mickey Mouse, Minny, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pig and the Huey, Dewey or Louie as pawns. The figures are true reproductions of original sculpture by American artist Isabelle Macrone.

USA. The design of these 3 identical ceramic sets in Gothic-style could origin in France 1st half of 19th century. I'm thinking on Limoges porcelain. Today you find these mainly in America in ceramic. But it is copied by many. Different artists claim this game as theirs. So did Han Theuns (Dutch trader) claim that Jackie Bouw did design it specially in honour of Gari Kasparov!

The moulds of these sets are by Duncan Ceramic Products, Inc. (now iLoveToCreate). Founded by Erma Duncan, an artist with a passion for ceramics, the company was incorporated in 1955. At the time of this set was designed, the company sold ceramic products for hobbyists, including moulds, and established a national training program for ceramics teachers. Perhaps due to the rising popularity of chess in the United States during the era, the company copyrighted at least six designs for chess sets between 1965 and 1973. Hobbyists could customize the sets with paint or colourful glazes.

1st set, of the 3 listed here, is special. It had been donated in 1978 by the widow of mister G.Faber to our chess club Eureka in Best in memory of her husband. G.Faber was a member of our club and became unwell while he was playing chess against Jan Arts in 1977. Unfortunately CPR didn't help and he died the day after. 2nd set was a combined buy with other sets and is incomplete. The last one was another gift.

On the Ecuador (Americas) page you find some more sets of this shape.

USA. This ceramic figural set has been created by Terry and Esi Ostovar, Ashland in Oregon. They made only 3 or 4 chess sets in the 80ies. Terry Ostovar is still making ceramics, but in California, USA now. You can see her work at www.etsy.com/shop/TerrysTouchCeramics

USA. This set came with an 1997 invoice of Joan Stern (or Sterw?) for Lothar Schmid.

USA. This last ceramic set was bought in a 2nd hand shop in the Netherlands, but the type is mostly seen in USA.