Game Board for Chess and Backgammon c. 1700

This game board for chess and backgammon was crafted in the early 18th century by Johann Nicolaus Haberstumpf. During this period, social status was often reinforced through leisure activities and material possessions. Haberstumpf’s game board is not merely a surface for play; it is an assertion of power and prestige. The carved relief portrays a female figure on horseback, bearing a flag that evokes notions of leadership and triumph. Her gender is notable, especially given the patriarchal structures of the time. Does she represent a queen, an allegorical figure, or perhaps an aspirational vision of female authority? Imagine the hands that moved across this board, the strategies plotted, and the silent power dynamics at play. This object becomes a stage for societal narratives, reflecting both the limitations and the latent possibilities of its time.