19th Century Chinese Export Carved Bone Chess Set, Complete in Original Box toy boat adding to its Japanese feel

adding to its Japanese feel

and people gathered there in the evenings to tell stories and sing songs

it has a strong sculptural presence on the wall

but his face seems positively human

I like it as a gesture of a raised hand

19th Century Chinese Export Carved Bone Chess Set, Complete in Original Box toy boat adding to its Japanese feelIn my dreams, I am a master chess player, but, alas, I don't have a strategic bone in my body! This set of of chess pieces might inspire me to practice, though c. 1850s I believe carved of bone, complete and housed in their original dovetailed box, and with a Chinese mark on the bottom of the box telling us these were made in China for export to the Western market, and then someone beautifully carved burned "CHESS" next to it. Based on some research,