Luke Honey Ltd has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
one side stained red, the other side left natural, the chessmen with elaborately carved decoration, kings and queens with carved faces and fleur-de-lys, bishops with mitres, knights with horses' heads, rooks as raised turrets with flags, the White Rooks with Union Flags, pawns with bud finials, in the original wooden box of square section with sliding lid, 'W.T. Copeland 1836' in pencil, 'Hoaching' trade label to the reverse of the lid.
King: 9.7cm high
Pawn: 5.3cm high
Box: 13cm wide, 10cm high
Provenance: William Taylor Copeland, MP (1797- 1868).
These sets were mistakenly identified as 'Burmese' by antique dealers and collectors in the 1960s. With better historical research, we now know that they were made for export in Canton, rather than Burma, during the first half of the 19th century. This set is particularly interesting as it proves this exact point. Hoaching was a premier silversmith concern in Canton that also produced exquisitely carved ivory. He was a prolific craftsman, and his shop was considered one of the most expensive in Canton.
This particular chess set belonged to William Taylor Copeland (1797- 1868) and is being sold, on commission, by a direct descendants. Copeland, the son of William Copeland- the partner of Josiah Spode of pottery and porcelain fame, was a distinguished British businessmen, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Stock Reference: EB 1872
Luke Honey Ltd has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Luke Honey Ltd Profile Page
Canton Export ‘Burmese Pattern’ Chess Set, 1836
