Native Carving Chess Set

Commissioned by the Canadian Museum of Civilization the original version of this chess set was carved by internationally acclaimed Haida artist Christian White. Fine museum reproduction of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Haida Gwaii collection.

In creating the set, Christian M. White spent a great deal of time reflecting on how to portray the Haida culture within chess traditions. His inspiration came from the seven main figures of Haida mythology. As a game of chess has only six characters, the two Rooks were each assigned a different Haida figure, completing the Haida pantheon without affecting the strategy of the game.

The artist chose his father's Eagle clan to represent the King and his mother's clan of the Raven to represent the Queen; the Bishop became the Frog; the Knight, the Killer Whale; the Rocks became the Bear and Beaver; and the Pawn took on the human form of the Watchman. The original chess pieces were carved from argillite, a soft stone only found on Haida Gwaii.

Argillite carving is a treasured centuries old art form on Canada's West Coast. Christian M. White lives and works in his home village of Old Massett.An extraordinary celebration of Haida Culture and mythology, the set is on display in the Museum’s permanent collection.

The board is 17" x 17" and 2.5" high. The chess pieces vary from the shortest being 2” and 3.25" tall.

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Totem Figures & Symbols