Dorothy Dehner

Chess Set

Designed 1957-1959, this cast 1993-1994

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Dorothy Dehner

Chess Set

Dorothy Dehner

Chess Set

Designed 1957-1959, this cast 1993-1994

Physical Qualities Pewter, Pawns, 16 each: 1 1/2 x 1 x 1 1/16 in. (3.8 x 2.5 x 2.7 cm) Castles, 4 each: 2 1/2 x 1 1/16 x 1 1/16 in. (6.4 x 2.7 x 2.7 cm) Bishops, 4 each: 3 x 1 1/8 x 1 3/16 in. (7.6 x 2.9 x 3 cm) Knights, 4 each: 2 1/2 x 1 3/16 x 1 1/4 in. (6.4 x 3 x 3.2 cm) Kings, 2 each: 3 5/8 x 1 3/16 x 1 3/16 in. (9.2 x 3 x 3 cm) Queens, 2 each: 3 1/4 x 1 3/16 x 1 1/4 in. (8.3 x 3 x 3.2 cm)

Credit Line Albert H. Cousins Memorial Fund

Object Number 2022.27

In this chess set, Dorothy Dehner combined playful sculptural form with incised lines. During a career which spanned the 1920s to the 1990s, Dehner produced paintings, prints, and sculptures that positioned abstract figural elements in an architecture-like setting: a chess set seems a natural extension of her artistic practice. Chess, a game that juxtaposes reason, chance, play, and power with allusions to gender and race was a rich subject for many modern artists.

Inscribed: Pawns: "ΔΔ" and "Dehner" on top of the base. On bottom of base, CR 14/25 Castles: "ΔΔ" and "Dehner" on body. On bottom of base, CR 14/25 Bishops: "ΔΔ" on hat. On bottom of base, CR 14/25 Knights: "ΔΔ" and "Dehner" on top of the base. On bottom of base, CR 14/25 Kings: "Dehner" on base. On bottom of base, CROUSSEL 14/25 Kings: "ΔΔ" on body and "Dehner" on base. On bottom of base, CROUSSEL 14/25