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Man Ray: Chess Pieces

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Item# 102040-102040 In Stock
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Chess pieces designed by Dada and Surrealism icon Man Ray.


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
  • Designer
    Man Ray
  • Size
    Bishop: 2.75”h
    King & Queen: 3.25”h
    Knight: 2”h
    Rook and Pawn: 1.4”h
  • Material
    Solid Beech Wood, Wool Felt Pads
  • Year of Design
    1920
  • Origin
    Germany
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Why We Chose This
This design was inspired by Man Ray's lifelong friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist Marcel Duchamp. In this re-edition of the 1920s Wooden Chess Set, a metal version of which is in MoMA 's collection, Man Ray translates traditional chess pieces in geometric forms.

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At MoMA Design Store, all of the designs we sell are curator-approved and authentic. We ensure the integrity of our products through research and by working closely with the designers. Our products embody the spirit of good design objects in MoMA's collection. Some of them are actual designs represented in the Museum's collection.

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