The Levantine Chess Set

Stephen Dixon 1957

Summary

Chess set and board, white earthenware, comprising two-piece tiled chessboard and thirty two modelled figures decorated in coloured matt glazes and lustres, depicting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a game of chess between the Islamic countries of the Middle East and the capitalist West, represented by Israel, America and Europe. The Chessboard is a hollow structure made from plywood, lined and grouted with cream and brown glazed tiles. Dark brown tiles around sides impressed with rows of names selected at random, in the manner of a war memorial, interrupted by relief-moulded cream tiles with alternating images of gushing oil wells, palm trees and medieval castle turrets. At each corner of the board is a relief-moulded carrion fly. Top of board tiled with chequerboard of matt cream and brown tiles decorated with abstract textural relief patterns giving an uneven surface. This is interrupted across the centre by a large inlaid mosaic diagram of a two-stroke petrol engine in green and blue. The King and Queen sit on tall circular plinths with abstract textural relief patterning, applied relief Islamic crescents and impressed titles KING and QUEEN on the sides. Plinths glazed an uneven matt cream glaze. The King, composed of a human body with snarling dragon head, sits cross-legged on the back of an elephant, a pair of arched swords held above his head. The Queen, an Amazonian warrior, stands against a palm tree with her left breast bared, carrying a bow and shield, with a quiver of arrows on the ground by her left foot. The bishops sit on lower circular plinths with textural patterning, impressed BISHOP at the back. Both figures depicted as wicked viziers dressed in long coats, baggy trousers and Turkish curl-toed slippers, one wearing a fez, the other a ribbed pointed gold hat. Both figures stand on flying carpets, one carrying an Aladdin's lamp and magic staff, the other a golden pomegranate and tall staff with a golden bird at the top. Knights sit on circular plinths impressed KNIGHT. Muslim knights depicted as inept, poorly armed soldiers riding camels, both figures dressed only in loin cloths with cooking pans for helmets and dustbin lids for shields. One carries a hammer aloft, the other a wooden club. Castles sit on circular plinths impressed CASTLE. Each castle in the form of a minaret, a circular turret at the top of which is a bearded army look-out guard wearing domed hat with Islamic crescent. One guard leans out over his parapet with a pair of binoculars in one hand, the other throws his arms upwards and his head back in a frenzied gesture. Pawns rest on shallow circular plinths with textural patterning, impressed PAWN. Iraqi soldier wears a tank about his waist in reference to the Gulf War, and holds aloft a mug of tea. The religious zealot carries a copy of the Koran in one hand whilst slashing his body with a knife. Around his neck are blood-soaked rags. Figures depicted as female soldiers, one in black purdah, standing with a water bottle on her head and a sub-machine gun held to her chest. The other figure, also in black with a white veil, kneels in combat position with her gun aimed. At her side a baby lies playing with a hand grenade. Shallow circular plinths impressed PAWN. The suicide car bomber sits astride a bomb on wheels, wearing a loin cloth and headband emblazoned with Islamic crescent. He carries a detached steering wheel in both hands and has an 'L' plate strapped to his back. At the front of the bomb is a prominent red detonator button. The Iraqi soldier, wearing protective gas mask, stands against a stockpile of weapons including a missile bearing a skull and crossbones, and two crates, one labelled 'UK'. The mummy figure, wrapped in bandages and wearing a golden Tutankhamun mask, carries a dagger in one hand and the severed head of a Carter-esque tourist/explorer in the other. A discarded camera and pith helmet lie at its feet. The Assyrian bull is composed of a human body with a bull's head, marching forward with a sub-machine gun in its arms.

Display Label

Gallery subtheme panel Telling Tales With the passing of time, life becomes history. What happens today is transformed by tomorrow into just another story that fades and is forgotten. But we look for ways of holding onto history, of fixing it, keeping it real and alive for future generations to know. Mementoes, keepsakes and souvenirs form the subject of this display. Objects that celebrate and commemorate, that speak of lives lived and events unfolding, from the coronation of kings to the fond memory of a seaside holiday. Some of these stories are from recent history; things you might well remember yourself. Others are older, tales from centuries ago. All of these things happened once, and were as real as this morning's news. The cheapest souvenir can be a potent reminder.