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Porcelain Chess Set
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Porcelain Chess Set
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Porcelain Chess Set

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.692874.a-hh
Object Type Set, Chess
Manufacturer (Founded 1754)
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium ceramic (porcelain), paint, glaze, textile, adhesive, metal (gold)
DimensionsOverall - 3D (a-b. Board) H 1 in x W 15 1/8 in x D 8 5/8 in (2.5 cm x 38.4 cm x 21.9 cm )
Other (c,s. King) H 3 1/2 in x W 2 in x D (8.9 cm x 5.1 cm x 0 cm )
Other (d,t. Queen) H 3 3/8 in x W 1 3/4 in x D 1 1/2 in (8.6 cm x 4.4 cm x 3.8 cm )
Other (e-f, u-v. Bishop) H 3 3/8 in x W 1 1/2 in x D 1 1/4 in (8.6 cm x 3.8 cm x 3.2 cm )
Other (g-h, w-x. Knight) H 2 7/8 in x W 2 1/2 in x D 1 1/8 in (7.3 cm x 6.4 cm x 2.9 cm )
Other (i-j, y-z. Rooks) H 3 1/4 in x W 1 1/4 in x D 2 1/4 in (8.3 cm x 3.2 cm x 5.7 cm )
Other (k-r, aa-hh. Pawn) H 3 1/8 in x W 1 1/8 in x D 1 1/4 in (7.9 cm x 2.9 cm x 3.2 cm )

Physical DescriptionPorcelain chess set with board in two pieces and a set of thirty four game pieces. Alternating tiles on the game board are painted blue with decorative design while the edges of the board are numbered and lettered with a gold trim. Game pieces are in various shapes, each representing aspects of the Russian military. The light set is white with gold, orange, blue, and black accents. The dark set is blue with gold and white accents.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack 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
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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