Authentic Man Ray Wood Chess Board & Pieces

Born in 1890, Man Ray (aka Emmanuel Radnitzky) was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in France. Considered a pioneer of the Surrealist movement, he was best known for his photography but considered himself a painter above all. He was also known for his photograms & pictures made with photographic materials but without a camera—which he dubbed "rayographs." His general love for art shines through in the Man Ray Chess Set (1920), with abstract geometric chess pieces designed by Man Ray—the knight was inspired by a violin in his studio. Pieces and matching board are CNC-milled from FSC-certified beech, then carefully finished by hand. The board, also in beech, is carefully crafted and finished to match the pieces. This is the authentic Man Ray Chess Set, produced under license with the Man Ray Trust.

This design was inspired by Man Ray's lifelong friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist Marcel Duchamp. In this re-edition of the 1920's Wooden Chess Set, a metal version of which is in the MoMA collection, Man Ray translates traditional chess pieces in geometric forms. Handmade in Germany.

"The Holy Grail of luxury board games." – departures.com