Dogues of War (Domini Bellum); Rare Soviet Analysis Chess Set, c.1945

Domini Bellum (Dogues of War); 32 vintage chess pieces without board, chestnut red vs. deep brown/black, Soviet, wooden, artistically restored, aged/antiqued, unweighted, c.1945-1955

Height: King 8cm, weight 14g, base width 3cm; Queen 7.5cm, wt. 12g; Bishop 6.5cm 9g, Knight 6cm 12g, Rook 4cm 11g, Pawns 4.5cm 9g.

W: Prussian Blue felt bases; B: same

 

A fairly rare Stalin Era Soviet pattern that was first manufactured in the 1920s and was subsequently used for tutoring, casual play and simuls right up until the early 1950s (as pictured in CHESS, VOL.9, 1950 with a young Vasily Smyslov). The opposing colours have been kept in their traditional red vs. black (the dictator, Stalin, preferred this colour scheme and the ‘artisans’ followed suit) and I’ve chosen to leave the set unweighted, so as the players can experience this innovative and skillfully carved Soviet set as it was first enjoyed in the opening decades of the last century.

 

One queen’s collar, one knight’s muzzle and three pawn collars have been meticulously restored. The opposing coloured finials are my own creation, as are the four antiqued white ‘dogue-collars’ of the bishops.

 

Both kings carry the hand-painted 2023 IRIDESCENT PEARL ‘Power’ signature of the artist on their bases and are accompanied by our unique ‘Certificate of Artistry’ which are posted out separately, once we tally up how many pearl signature sets passed through our galleries in 2023.

 

Etsy Set Price: $750.00

 

 

Ref Code: DB23