Man Ray Chess Board

This design was inspired by Man Ray’s lifelong friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist Marcel Duchamp. This re-edition of the 1920s Wooden Chess Set is based on the original 1920 Man Ray Wooden Chess Set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was the inspiration for a larger silver version in the MoMA collection.

In this set, Man Ray translates traditional chess pieces into pure geometric forms abandoning all classical and figurative characteristics used to define the pieces. Instead, he composed them of pure Euclidean geometric “ideal forms” - cube, sphere, pyramid and cone. Dadaist that he was, one discordant form was interjected into the set. He based the form of the Knight on a found object in his studio, the head scroll of a violin.

Designer: Man Ray

Design year: 1920’s

Item Description: Chess set and board sold separately. Click here to order the Man Ray Chess pieces. Gift boxed.

Materials: Clear lacquered and black painted finished over ; wool felt pads.

Dimensions: L: 17" x W: 17" x H: 0.75"

Care Instructions: Dust with soft dry cloth

Made In: Germany

Free Shipping for all orders over $75.

By default, orders are shipped using standard ground shipping. Please contact customer service if expedited options are needed  — this can be arranged upon request and payment.