"chess set", "chess sets", "chess pieces", "chess museum", "schaak"
 

Brazil  (Americas)

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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.

« of 3 »
  • Brazil, Recife, by Leonildo do Nascimento
  • 1994
  • Ceramic K 4.1; p 4.2
« of 8 »
  • Brazil, Recife, by José Vitalino Neto
  • 1994
  • Ceramic K 4.7; p 4.9
  • Board 24.4×24.4
  • on board is written: "JOSÉ VITALINO NETO. ALTO DO MOURA CARUARU PE."
« of 2 »
  • Brazil, Recife
  • 1995
  • Ceramic K 4.7; p 5.1
  • Board 24.0×24.0
« of 2 »
  • Brazil, Recife
  • 1995
  • Ceramic K 4.3; p 5.0
  • Board 23.5×23.5