German Plain Barleycorn Chess Set, 1850-1900

German Plain Barleycorn Chess Set, 1850-1900

Chess set made in Germany in the second half of the 19th century, possibly from the Nuremberg area. The pattern is similar to the "Plain Barleycorn" pattern and is also called "Plain Nuremberg" or "Plain German". The pieces are turned from fruitwood, one side natural, the other side in a light brown stain, a bit hard to distinguish, hence of limited use for actual play. The Kings with multiple knops and baluster finials (unfortunately with a missing top part on the white King), the Queens with ovoid knops, the Bishops as mitres with flat tops, The Knights as horses' heads, the Rooks as elegant turrets with raised ball finials, the Pawns with ball finials. King size is 3.8".
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