Chess Piece: Queen c. late 18th century

This is a Jasperware chess piece, Queen, created by the Wedgwood Manufactory, its date is unknown. The piece is a study in the interplay between form and symbol. The queen figure, rendered in a uniform pale green, has a smooth, matte surface. The lack of color variation and the use of monochromatic material pushes the viewer to focus on the sculpture’s form. Notice how the drapery folds create depth and movement, contrasting with the solid base. The texture of the fabric against the smooth skin emphasizes the contours of her body and the gesture of raising her hand to her crown. The choice of Jasperware, a stoneware known for its crispness and fine detail, allowed Wedgwood to elevate this chess piece beyond mere functionality into the realm of art. Consider the implications of this elevation of a game piece, challenging the traditional hierarchies between art and craft, function and decoration. The chess piece invites us to rethink the power structures inherent in both the game it represents and the society that produces it.