Historical, political and exotic, but also erotic, mythical, animal and curious - all of this can be found on porcelain as well as on the chessboard. The "white gold" and the royal game have a lot in common. Both tell stories that move the world. Around one hundred historical and contemporary chess sets and chess pieces made of porcelain bring these stories to life.
Visitors can experience the fascinating, diverse and artistically perfect combination of chess and porcelain for the first time anywhere in Germany. Whether you are a beginner or a professional - everyone can get active and be whisked away into the exciting world of chess.
Lacquer block for Japanese chess "Shogi" with porcelain stones from Arita, Meiji period (1868 - 1912); 16.5 cm x 35 cm x 32 cm; loaned by Dr. Thomas H. Thomsen; photo: Jahreiss. foto film design, Hohenberg a. d. Eger
The number of squares is limited to 64, but the number of moves is almost infinite. Chess is perhaps the most creative game and also the most rational. The "royal game" is known worldwide and has acquired a deep cultural significance. For more than 1000 years, chess has captivated not only kings and scholars, but people from all walks of life. Chess has also been interpreted by numerous artists in a variety of ways for many centuries. While it is usually cool and calculating on the chessboard, chess in art is colorful, full of poetry, magic and humor.
"Poseidon" chess set, design: Barbara Flügel, around 2000; Barbara Flügel porcelain, Schönwald; height king 9.6 cm, pawn 6.8 cm, four-part porcelain chessboard 53 cm x 53 cm; on loan Dr. Thomas H. Thomsen; photo: Jahreiss. foto film design, Hohenberg a. d. Eger
The Porzellanikon in Hohenberg an der Eger is now presenting a unique slice of infinity in its new exhibition "Chess & Porcelain. The world on 64 squares". Curator Petra Werner has brought together over 100 chess sets and pieces, all made exclusively from porcelain. The exhibition can therefore claim to be the largest collection on this subject in Germany. Most of the items on loan come from Dr. Thomas H. Thomsen, who probably owns the largest collection of antique chess sets in Europe. He is the long-standing president of "Chess Collectors International", a worldwide association of collectors and experts of artistic chess pieces and boards. Dr. Thomsen has made his chess sets and porcelain pieces available for the exhibition in Hohenberg. Other exhibits come from the collector Reinhard Egert, among others.
March 16 to October 13, 2024
www.porzellanikon.org
Chess set with porcelain board, design: Marcello Morandini, 2003; Rosenthal AG, Selb;
Edition of 99; height king 11 cm, pawn 5.5 cm, porcelain board 54 cm x 54 cm;
Porzellanikon, RAS 2370.1/12, on permanent loan from the Oberfrankenstiftung, Bayreuth; photo: Jahreiss. foto film design, Hohenberg a. d. Eger
Chess set with porcelain board, design: Marcello Morandini, 2003; Rosenthal AG, Selb;
Edition of 99 pieces; height king 11 cm, pawn 5.5 cm, porcelain board 54 cm x 54 cm;
Porzellanikon, RAS 2370.1/12, on permanent loan from the Upper Franconian Foundation, Bayreuth; photo: Jahreiss. foto film design, Hohenberg a. d. Eger
