Lot Number:
22
Item Location:
Broomfield
Preview Date/Time:
Online photos
Pickup Date/Time:
June 29-30 10:00am-4:00pm
Start Date/Time:
06/21/26, 7:00 AM
End Date/Time:
06/28/26, 7:22:00 PM
Description:
This is a striking hand-carved onyx and marble chess set featuring 32 pieces in an Aztec/Mayan figural design, with one side rendered in deep cobalt blue dyed onyx and the opposing side in translucent white alabaster or white onyx. These types of sets were most commonly produced in Mexico, particularly in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca, where artisan stone carving traditions date back centuries and reached peak export popularity from the 1960s through the 1990s. Each piece is individually hand-carved with stepped pyramid bases, warrior figures, and pre-Columbian-inspired iconography representing kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns — no two pieces are perfectly identical, which is characteristic of authentic hand-carved Mexican stone sets. The board itself is a two-tone wood inlay construction, approximately 15x15 inches, with alternating light oak and darker walnut-toned squares set within a solid wood frame with decorative corner feet visible beneath. The blue onyx pieces display the characteristic banding and veining of natural stone beneath the dye, while the white pieces show translucency and natural mineral inclusions typical of genuine alabaster or white onyx. Condition is overall Good to Very Good; the board surface shows light surface scratches and minor scuffs consistent with use and age, and a few of the white pieces show small chips or rough edges at bases, while the blue pieces appear largely intact with good color saturation. The set appears complete with all 32 pieces present. A highly collectible and decorative set that appeals to chess collectors, Southwest and Latin American folk art enthusiasts, and interior decorators alike.