Chessman (King) 1850 - 1875

This is a silver chess piece, a king, made by Elkington & Co. Chess as we know it emerged from aristocratic European culture. Chess sets became luxury items, and the game itself, a marker of social status. How fascinating, then, that a British firm like Elkington produced this piece, likely for a wealthy client, embodying and reinforcing hierarchies of power. The figure is depicted in full regalia, holding a sword, a conventional representation of leadership. The choice of silver speaks to wealth and refinement, typical of British high society. This chessman isn't just a game piece; it's a cultural artifact. To understand its full significance, one might delve into the history of British manufacturing, the rise of consumer culture, and the symbolic language of power in art. The meaning of art is always contingent on these kinds of contexts.