Charlemagne chessmen: Difference between revisions
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The '''Charlemagne chessmen''' are a group of [[11th century]] [[chess pieces]] made from [[ivory]], now in the [[Cabinet des Médailles]], [[Bibliothèque Nationale]] in [[Paris, France]]. In 1598 the set contained 30 pieces, but after the [[French Revolution]] only 16 pieces survived. Next to the [[Lewis chessmen]], the set is thought to be the second-most important collection of medieval chess pieces in the world.<ref>[https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2011/the-game-of-kings-medieval-ivory-chessmen-from-the-isle-of-lewis/exhibition-blog/game-of-kings/blog/carving-out-a-collection Metropolitan]</ref> It is one of the best-preserved sets of figures from the [[High Middle Ages]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classes.bnf.fr/echecs/charle/index.htm|title=Les échecs de Charlemagne|website=classes.bnf.fr}}</ref> |
The '''Charlemagne chessmen''' are a group of [[11th century]] [[chess pieces]] made from [[ivory]], now in the [[Cabinet des Médailles]], [[Bibliothèque Nationale]] in [[Paris, France]]. In 1598 the set contained 30 pieces, but after the [[French Revolution]] only 16 pieces survived. Next to the [[Lewis chessmen]], the set is thought to be the second-most important collection of medieval chess pieces in the world.<ref>[https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2011/the-game-of-kings-medieval-ivory-chessmen-from-the-isle-of-lewis/exhibition-blog/game-of-kings/blog/carving-out-a-collection Metropolitan]</ref> It is one of the best-preserved sets of figures from the [[High Middle Ages]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classes.bnf.fr/echecs/charle/index.htm|title=Les échecs de Charlemagne|website=classes.bnf.fr}}</ref> |
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== Legend == |
== Legend == |
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[[File:Echiquier de Charlemagne reine CdM.jpg|thumb|Queen]] |
[[File:Echiquier de Charlemagne reine CdM.jpg|thumb|Queen]] |
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The legend regarding the set states that these chessmen were given as a gift to [[Charlemagne]] by [[Caliph]] [[Harun al-Rashid]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caminoadventures.com/blog/the-charlemagne-chess-set/|title=The Charlemagne Chess Set | The Montglane Service|first=Leslie|last=Gilmour|date=August 7, 2021}}</ref> who was an avid chess player. But they were made centuries later than this. |
The legend regarding the set states that these chessmen were given as a gift to [[Charlemagne]] by [[Caliph]] [[Harun al-Rashid]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caminoadventures.com/blog/the-charlemagne-chess-set/|title=The Charlemagne Chess Set | The Montglane Service|first=Leslie|last=Gilmour|date=August 7, 2021}}</ref> who was an avid chess player. But they were made at least two centuries later than this. |
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A chess set was first noted in a book of anecdotes concerning the life of Charlemagne from the 880s by [[Notker the Stammerer]], who describes a mission sent by Harun to |
A chess set was first noted in a book of anecdotes concerning the life of Charlemagne from the 880s by [[Notker the Stammerer]], who describes a mission sent by Harun to Charlemagne in 802{{nbsp}}AD, giving a list of gifts sent by the Caliph, which included an elephant and a set of chessmen. If this story were true, it would be evidence that chess was played in Europe centuries earlier than previously thought.<ref name="Price">Bill Price, ''The History of Chess in Fifty Moves''</ref> While the Royal Frankish Annals provide an arrival of an elephant named [[Abul-Abbas]], there is no mention of the chess pieces.<ref name="Price" /> Therefore, it is unlikely that Charlemagne had knowledge of the game of chess. |
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According to another story, the game was a gift from the Byzantine Empress [[Irene of Athens]] (d. 803), which also does not match their date. |
According to another story, the game was a gift from the Byzantine Empress [[Irene of Athens]] (d. 803), which also does not match their date. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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[[File:Echiquier de Charlemagne cavalier CdM.jpg|thumb|Knight]] |
[[File:Echiquier de Charlemagne cavalier CdM.jpg|thumb|Knight]] |
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The set is estimated to have been made between |
The set is estimated to have been made between 1050 and 1100<ref name="auto"/> in [[Salerno]], Italy.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.oldest.org/entertainment/chess-sets/|title=9 Oldest Chess Sets Ever Produced|date=May 28, 2021}}</ref> According to one historian, "The fact that these pieces are figurative representations of people and animals rather than abstract [[Islamic art|Islamic designs]] also suggest that they were made in [[Europe]] rather than imported from somewhere with the [[Caliphate]]."<ref name="Price" /> |
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Various theories concern its original owners. Possibly it was created for [[Robert Guiscard]] (died 1085), a [[Normans|Norman]] leader, or even for [[Pope Gregory VII]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://history.chess.free.fr/charlemagne.htm|title=Charlemagne|website=history.chess.free.fr}}</ref> Later it was a gift to a French king, either [[Philip II of France|Philip II]] or [[Philip III of France|Philip III]].<ref name="auto2"/> |
Various theories concern its original owners. Possibly it was created for [[Robert Guiscard]] (died 1085), a [[Normans|Norman]] leader, or even for [[Pope Gregory VII]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://history.chess.free.fr/charlemagne.htm|title=Charlemagne|website=history.chess.free.fr}}</ref> Later it was a gift to a French king, either [[Philip II of France|Philip II]] or [[Philip III of France|Philip III]].<ref name="auto2"/> |
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From the 13th to 18th centuries, the set was in the [[Treasury of Saint-Denis]] at [[Basilica of Saint-Denis|Saint Denis Abbey]] near Paris.<ref name="auto2"/> In 1598, the set was inventoried and stated to be a set of 30 pieces.<ref name="auto1"/> In 1625, the set was first associated with Charlemagne in a report on the history of the abbey. |
From the 13th to 18th centuries, the set was in the [[Treasury of Saint-Denis]] at [[Basilica of Saint-Denis|Saint Denis Abbey]] near Paris.<ref name="auto2"/> In 1598, the set was inventoried and stated to be a set of 30 pieces.<ref name="auto1"/> In 1625, the set was first associated with Charlemagne in a report on the history of the abbey. |
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During the French Revolution, when [[Dechristianization of France during the French Revolution|property was confiscated from the clergy]], only 16 of the 30 pieces survived and were stored at the [[Cabinet des Médailles]], [[Bibliothèque Nationale]] in 1794. |
During the French Revolution, when [[Dechristianization of France during the French Revolution|property was confiscated from the clergy]], only 16 of the 30 pieces survived and were stored at the [[Cabinet des Médailles]], [[Bibliothèque Nationale]] in 1794. |
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The chess pieces are all carved from blocks of ivory, which measure up to 15{{nbsp}}cm in height, while the kings weigh almost up to 1{{nbsp}}kg. There are also traces of red paint on some of the figures. |
The chess pieces are all carved from blocks of ivory, which measure up to 15{{nbsp}}cm in height, while the kings weigh almost up to 1{{nbsp}}kg. There are also traces of red paint on some of the figures. |
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[[File:Cabinet des médailles, Paris - Charlemagne Chessmen - Knight and Elephant.jpg|thumb|Knight and elephant |
[[File:Cabinet des médailles, Paris - Charlemagne Chessmen - Knight and Elephant.jpg|thumb|Knight and elephant (replacing bishops)]] |
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The pieces include four elephants. Since chess bishops are called ''elephants'' in both Russian (slon) and Arabic (al-fīl, giving Spanish ''alfil'' and Italian ''alfiere''), it can be assumed that these elephants are what we would nowadays call bishops. |
The pieces include four elephants. Since chess bishops are called ''elephants'' in both Russian (slon) and Arabic (al-fīl, giving Spanish ''alfil'' and Italian ''alfiere''), it can be assumed that these elephants are what we would nowadays call bishops. |
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*two [[King (chess)|kings]] |
*two [[King (chess)|kings]] |
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*two [[Queen (chess)|queens]] |
*two [[Queen (chess)|queens]] |
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*three [[quadriga |
*three [[quadriga]]s ([[Rook (chess)|rook]]) |
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*four [[knight (chess)|knights]] |
*four [[knight (chess)|knights]] |
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*four elephants ([[bishop (chess)|bishop]]); |
*four elephants ([[bishop (chess)|bishop]]); |
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== Further reading == |
== Further reading == |
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{{commons category}} |
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*Harold J. R. Murray: A History of Chess. |
*Harold J. R. Murray: A History of Chess. |
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*Hans Wichmann, Siegfried Wichmann : Schach. Origin and transformation of the character in twelve centuries. |
*Hans Wichmann, Siegfried Wichmann : Schach. Origin and transformation of the character in twelve centuries. |
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[[Category:11th-century artifacts]] |
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[[Category:Charlemagne]] |
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[[Category:Chess in Italy]] |
[[Category:Chess in Italy]] |
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[[Category:Chess in France]] |
[[Category:Chess in France]] |
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Revision as of 12:28, 29 November 2023
| Charlemagne chessmen | |
|---|---|
 The Charlemagne chessmen | |
| Material | ivory |
| Created | 11th century |
| Present location | |
The Charlemagne chessmen are a group of 11th century chess pieces made from ivory, now in the Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, France. In 1598 the set contained 30 pieces, but after the French Revolution only 16 pieces survived. Next to the Lewis chessmen, the set is thought to be the second-most important collection of medieval chess pieces in the world.[1] It is one of the best-preserved sets of figures from the High Middle Ages.[2]
Legend
The legend regarding the set states that these chessmen were given as a gift to Charlemagne by Caliph Harun al-Rashid,[3] who was an avid chess player. But they were made at least two centuries later than this.
A chess set was first noted in a book of anecdotes concerning the life of Charlemagne from the 880s by Notker the Stammerer, who describes a mission sent by Harun to Charlemagne in 802 AD, giving a list of gifts sent by the Caliph, which included an elephant and a set of chessmen. If this story were true, it would be evidence that chess was played in Europe centuries earlier than previously thought.[4] While the Royal Frankish Annals provide an arrival of an elephant named Abul-Abbas, there is no mention of the chess pieces.[4] Therefore, it is unlikely that Charlemagne had knowledge of the game of chess.
According to another story, the game was a gift from the Byzantine Empress Irene of Athens (d. 803), which also does not match their date.
History
The set is estimated to have been made between 1050 and 1100[3] in Salerno, Italy.[5] According to one historian, "The fact that these pieces are figurative representations of people and animals rather than abstract Islamic designs also suggest that they were made in Europe rather than imported from somewhere with the Caliphate."[4]
Various theories concern its original owners. Possibly it was created for Robert Guiscard (died 1085), a Norman leader, or even for Pope Gregory VII.[6] Later it was a gift to a French king, either Philip II or Philip III.[5]
From the 13th to 18th centuries, the set was in the Treasury of Saint-Denis at Saint Denis Abbey near Paris.[5] In 1598, the set was inventoried and stated to be a set of 30 pieces.[6] In 1625, the set was first associated with Charlemagne in a report on the history of the abbey.
During the French Revolution, when property was confiscated from the clergy, only 16 of the 30 pieces survived and were stored at the Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothèque Nationale in 1794.
Description
The chess pieces are all carved from blocks of ivory, which measure up to 15 cm in height, while the kings weigh almost up to 1 kg. There are also traces of red paint on some of the figures.
The pieces include four elephants. Since chess bishops are called elephants in both Russian (slon) and Arabic (al-fīl, giving Spanish alfil and Italian alfiere), it can be assumed that these elephants are what we would nowadays call bishops.
The human figures are clothed and armed in the Norman style, as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.[4] The figures thus belong to the Norman–Sicilian style, which mixes of European, Arabic-Islamic and Byzantine artistic styles.
The "housing", which is elaborated with architectural details and emphasizes the king and queen, is peculiar. The carvings each show a semicircular pavilion with arcades on the back and a straight front in the shape of a ciborium. In the scene, servants pull up a curtain from both sides, which previously shielded the appearance of the king or queen and the room behind. It is the revelation of the monarch, the climax of the Byzantine court ceremony.
Only sixteen pieces of the original set survive. Missing from the set are 15 pawns and a rook, as a complete chess set has thirty-two pieces, including sixteen pawns. The surviving pieces are:
- two kings
- two queens
- three quadrigas (rook)
- four knights
- four elephants (bishop);
- one foot soldier (pawn).
A large elephant piece—the Elephant of Charlemagne—was once treated as a part of the set, but is now recognized as a separate piece, possibly not even a gamepiece.[6]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ Metropolitan
- ^ "Les échecs de Charlemagne". classes.bnf.fr.
- ^ a b Gilmour, Leslie (August 7, 2021). "The Charlemagne Chess Set | The Montglane Service".
- ^ a b c d Bill Price, The History of Chess in Fifty Moves
- ^ a b c "9 Oldest Chess Sets Ever Produced". May 28, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Charlemagne". history.chess.free.fr.
Further reading
- Harold J. R. Murray: A History of Chess.
- Hans Wichmann, Siegfried Wichmann : Schach. Origin and transformation of the character in twelve centuries.