THE MAN RAY
CHESSBOARD
(board only)
CLASSIC MODERN ART DESIGN
MADE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MAN RAY CHESS
SET
This chessboard is manufactured to accommodate the groundbreaking
design by the leading artist and innovator, Man Ray.
First created in the early 1920's, the classic Man Ray chessmen and
chessboard have been authorized by the Man Ray Trust.
MORE INFORMATION
ONLINE
To see more images and detailed information about this board, see
my video -- search "Boards for Man Ray" on YouTube.
A
SPECIAL EDITION CHESSBOARD, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MAN RAY CHESS SET
This board, measuring 16¼ inches across,
with approximately 2 inch squares, is manufactured specifically in accordance
with the Man Ray Trust, to accommodate the Man Ray chess set.
It is made in Germany, of the highest quality.
Unique among modern, frameless boards, the color of the squares is made to
continue on to the edge, giving the board the appearance of 64 block
construction.
The board shows a natural wood grain on the light squares, with
black wood stain coloring the dark squares.
For sale here is the board only. Man Ray chessmen are sold in our
other listings.
ABOUT THE MAN RAY
CHESS DESIGN
Among the very first of the new abstract designs, the elegant
chessmen by Man Ray bring together man's ultimate achievements of concept, form
and game design.
First realized in 1921, the Man Ray set predates the Bauhaus block form
chessmen, establishing Man Ray as the primary force in chess renovation.
It became a prize exhibit in New York's famous "Imagery of Chess"
presentation (1944-45), now recounted in the book The Imagery of Chess
Revisited (ed. Larry List, 2006).
Every aspect of the chessmen and board show that Man Ray had
earnestly set out to create a new aesthetic for the game of chess. The set was
first created during a time of great upheaval on all levels of society and
culture; in fact, when this set was first conceived, the Staunton chessmen had
not yet been established as the international standard. Man Ray offered a startlingly
novel alternative.
The shapes chosen by Man Ray speak entirely of humanity's most honored
forms. With the classic spiral, echoing back through violins to seashells, the
timeless form of the urn, the pyramids of geometry and Pharaohs, the essential
forms of cone, cube and sphere, the artist has found a fitting figurative
identity for each of the well-known chessmen. Truly, a choice of shapes could
not do better to contain the fundamental aesthetic values of the human mind and
senses.
The king (pyramid form) of the Man Ray chess set stands 3.25
inches tall, with a 1.5 inch base. It is recommended for play on a board of 2
inch squares as shown below (board not included in this sale).
As would be expected of an edition of fine chessmen and chessboard newly
authorized by the artist's personal Trust, this board crafted with the care and
expertise to fill the artist's vision to perfection.
It is exclusively licensed to be made a select Germany studio, and sold in
accordance with strict regulation by the Trust.
BEST POSSIBLE PRICE
This chessboard is offered here at the lowest price allowed by
contract with the Man Ray Trust. We include with this price free shipping
within the United States, and offer discounted shipping to other countries.
CHESSMEN NOT INCLUDED
Please note that this sale is for the chessboard only. The
official Man Ray chessmen are available in our other listings.
Shipping, etc...
Shipping is by Priority or
First Class Mail: 2-3 "business days" within the U.S., 6-10
"business days" to other countries.
Please see the shipping rate listed
below.