Chess piece

Bishop

Description

On display - room 7

Mid-12th century

High Middle Ages

This bishop played the role of the fool in chess. He is depicted in a niche framed by two fluted columns. He adopted the traditional posture of a bishop seated on a throne: liturgical vestment, and an early form of mitre. He holds a crosier and an open book. Bishops are represented in the same way on seals.

The game of Chess, which appeared in Central Asia in the early centuries of our time, spread to the West during the Roman era.
 

From one artwork to another

Head of the king of Judah No. 6, Notre-Dame de Paris, Cl. 22988 © GrandPalaisRmn / René-Gabriel Ojeda

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