19th Century Chinese Export Carved Bone Chess Set, Complete in Original Box toy boat it has a strong sculptural

it has a strong sculptural presence on the wall

Nice weight

I like it as a gesture of a raised hand

It is the subject and especially the fantastic details on this beautifully crafted tray that made me fall in love with it: the patterns of the waves lapping the boat

19th Century Chinese Export Carved Bone Chess Set, Complete in Original Box toy boat it has a strong sculpturalIn my dreams, I am a master chess player, but, alas, I don't have a strategic bone in my body! This set of of chess pieces might inspire me to practice, though c. 1850s I believe carved of bone, complete and housed in their original dovetailed box, and with a Chinese mark on the bottom of the box telling us these were made in China for export to the Western market, and then someone beautifully carved burned "CHESS" next to it. Based on some research,