Man Ray: Chess Pieces

Designed in 1920 by Man Ray, an artist with work in MoMA’s collection, these chess pieces are collector’s items for both enthusiasts of the game and the history of Dada and Surrealism. The king is a pyramid, the queen is a cone, the bishop is a flagon, the rook is a cube and the pawn is a sphere. The knight, perhaps the most striking piece, is represented by a scroll-shaped violin finial. Man Ray’s chess set converts the familiar form of every chess piece into a more stylized shape that relies on associations—such as the connection between a king and an Egyptian pyramid—to reveal each piece’s identity. Man Ray conceived his now-classic chess set with found objects from around his studio. Now crafted in Germany from solid beech wood, these pieces bring an artful twist to your chess game—and are also elegant simply displayed on your coffee table. A silver-plated brass version of Man Ray’s Chess Set (1920–1926) is represented in MoMA’s collection. Man Ray Chess Board sold separately. 

 

The Man Ray Chess Pieces measure:

• Bishop: 2.75”h
• King & Queen: 3.25”h
• Knight: 2”h
• Rook and Pawn: 1.4”h