Creative Commons License
Game Piece with Figures in a Castle
(Medieval Europe )
Small game pieces, used for checkers, backgammon, and other board games, survive in considerable numbers-attesting to the popularity of this type of entertainment. They are usually richly decorated with animal, literary, astrological, or biblical subjects. The subject of this example remains unidentified, though it depicts two guards inside the walls of a castle. The border design may represent an attempt to replicate the kufic script (a type of early Arabic writing) seen on some imported objects.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Tilla Durieux, Berlin. Henri Daguerre, Paris. Purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1927; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
Geographies
Germany (Place of Origin)
Measurements
D: 7/16 x Diam 2 in. (1.1 x 5.1 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1927
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
71.221