Chessmen (32) 1800 - 1815

John Flaxman's "Chessmen (32)" is a set of 32 ceramic chess pieces, designed between 1800 and 1815. This set of chess pieces is a prime example of Flaxman's Neoclassical style, which is marked by its emphasis on simplicity, clarity, and restraint. Flaxman designed each piece to represent a specific chess character. The pieces were made to be used in a game of chess, but are also appreciated as works of art in their own right. The set currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.