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Metal and Glass Chess Set
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Metal and Glass Chess Set
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Metal and Glass Chess Set

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.093830.a-gg
Object Type Set, Chess
Gifter
Medium metal, glass, adhesive, textile, ink
DimensionsOverall - 3D (.a: Board) H 1/4 in x W 15 3/4 in x D 15 3/4 in (0.6 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.b & .r: Kings) H 2 5/8 in x W 1 3/8 in x D 1 3/4 in (6.7 cm x 3.5 cm x 4.4 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.c & .s: Queens) H 2 1/2 in x W 1 3/8 in x D 1 3/4 in (6.4 cm x 3.5 cm x 4.4 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.d-e & .t-u: Bishops) H 2 1/4 in x Diam 1 3/8 in (5.7 cm x 3.5 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.f-g & .v-w: Knights) H 2 1/2 in x W 1 3/8 in x D 1 1/2 in (6.4 cm x 3.5 cm x 3.8 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.h-i & .x-y: Rooks) H 2 1/2 in x Diam 1 3/8 in (6.4 cm x 3.5 cm )
 Overall - 3D (.j-q & .z-gg: Pawns) H 2 1/4 in x Diam 1 3/8 in (5.7 cm x 3.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionMetal and glass chess set that contains a game board (.a) with a mirrored finish along the border and half of the board spaces. The other half of the spaces, as well as the words at its top and bottom, have a semi-transparent frosted finish. The center of the board contains a depiction of the Eswatini coat of arms, with the sections that are over the frosted spaces having a mirrored finish and the sections over the mirrored spaces having a frosted finish.

The chess pieces are made of a glass base, a metal figure head, and contain a felted bottom. Each set is represented by animals. The light pieces are silver-toned metal and the dark pieces are silver-toned metal with black highlights.

The light and dark kings are represented by a lion (.b and .r), the queens are represented by an elephant (.c and .s), the bishops are represented by cheetahs (.d-e and .t-u), the knights are represented by zebras (.f-g and .v-w), the rooks are represented by rhinos (.h-i and .x-y), and the pawns are represented by monkeys (.j-q and .z-gg).
Historical NoteReceived on the occasion of the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2014 held in Washington D.C. from August 4 - 6, 2014.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts of State (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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