Quarter Sawn Chess

This Christmas edition of Top eBay Chess Items by Price went as I predicted in the previous edition, More Carlsen Autographs: 'plenty to choose in pre-Christmas auctions'. I could have chosen a chess set (nothing unusual there), a porcelain figural group, a pool cue, or a book, but I chose the item pictured below. It was titled 'Quarter sawn oak game table, carved chess set, & two Northwind figural arm chairs', and sold for US $2500 after two bids, making it the priciest chess item sold over the past fortnight.

The desription added,

This is a wonderful quarter sawn game table (or chess table) with a beautifully carved chess set and two oak arm chairs with Northwind faces carved on the backs. The quarter sawn oak and detailed carving on the chess pieces, and table legs and chairs is obvious in the photos. We have sold American oak antiques in our Northern California store for more than 25 years and this is one of the nicest sets we've had.

Every item in this auction was worth a separate photo, but I'll have to be content with showing the ensemble. It would have looked great next to *my* Christmas tree.