New exhibition at the Green Vault displays baroque chess game.

In Dresden: Harmful youngsters destroy public property. - New exhibition at the Green Vault displays baroque chess game.

A unique Baroque chess set is becoming the main attraction for an exhibition organized by Saxony's Green Vault Museum's Treasury, one year after its acquisition. The exhibition, titled "Chess! Princely Worlds," shines a light on one of the oldest and most famous strategy games, as per the State Art Collections Dresden (SKD). This display is showcasing approximately 25 additional pieces from the SKD's collection and private ownership, as well as contemporary creations.

In 2023, the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation in Berlin purchased this extraordinary work of art from a private collector and gifted it to the Green Vault for its anniversary. Crafted during the reign of the museum's founder, Elector Augustus the Strong (1670-1733), this fancy chess set is constructed with ivory, ebony, tortoiseshell, and silver.

The figurines, ranging from 2 to 8 cm in length, are made out of both ivory and ebony and are separately identified as white and black. Paul Herrmann, a renowned Baroque-era sculptor in Saxony and Central Europe, was responsible for sculpting these figures. The Augsburg goldsmith, Paul Solanier, contributed gold and silver-plated bases for the figurines. The set's chessboard case, adorned with tortoiseshell, ivory, and silver artwork, was crafted by Heinrich Eichler the Elder, a noted "Silver Box Maker" in Saxony.

In the past, there were sixteen registered Baroque chess sets listed in the historical inventories of the Green Vault. Among them, three with ivory and ebony figurines have vanquished from existence. However, with the acquisition of the Baroque chess set, which surfaced at a Christie's auction in London, the collection has now filled the missing gap.

Further details about the exhibition are available here.

Read also:

1. The Baroque chess game exhibition at Dresden's Green Vault Museum's Treasury showcases the history and art of chess, providing insights into this ancient and popular strategy game.
2. Visitors to the exhibition "Chess! Princely Worlds" can marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of the chess set, created during the rule of Elector Augustus the Strong in Saxony, which now resides in the Treasury Museum's vaults.
3. Dresden, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and museums, is also home to the oldest and most famous chess sets, engaging art enthusiasts and chess players alike.
4. The acquisition of the Baroque chess set by the Green Vault Museum bolsters Saxony's already impressive collection of historical chess games, filling in a gap left by three missing sets from the past.
5. Chess, a game of strategy and beguiling history, now takes center stage in Dresden's museums, inviting visitors to rediscover its cultural significance and appreciate the artistry of centuries-old masterpieces.

• Tough return to normality in snow and ice
• German national soccer team on their way to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
• The flooding has lessened, but the aftermath of mud remains.
• Fewer unauthorized entries: Domino effect through controls