These pieces are based on the Imperial court of an early Qing dynasty Chinese royal family. This dynasty ruled China from the mid 17th to the early 20th century and were the last Chinese royal dynasty before its abolition in 1912. The pieces are highly detailed and at a whopping 3kg for a full set they are extremely sturdy and robust.

 

The royal couple, Emperor and Empress, are both shown sitting on a very detailed throne with intricate carving especially at the rear where dragons and birds are portrayed. They are both garbed in a similar style and adorned with what appears to be a Qing dynasty crown/headdress. They are also both holding Buddhist prayer beads or mala beads. The Empress is holding a snake in her left hand which symbolises life and reproduction.  

 

The Bishop is represented by a Chinese philosopher who would have been an extremely important and influential figure in the royal court. He is also shown wearing and holding mala beads and has a traditional style fan in the opposite hand 

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The Knight is represented by a Chinese imperial guard. Heavily armoured, they are armed with a staff and sword.

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One of the more unusual features of this particular set is the fact that the two rooks, while being very similar, are of a different design. They are each represented by a Chinese guardian lion. These sculptures were found at the entrance of important structures within the Chinese empire such as palaces, temples and tombs. On the right hand side of the entrance you would find the male lion with his right paw resting on a cloth ball. On the left hand side of the entrance would be the female lion who would be resting her left paw on a cub. As a pair these lions would symbolically guard the structure from harmful influences or enemies. The cloth ball under the mail lions paw represented protection for the physical structure while the cub represented the souls within which received protection from the female lion. 

 

The pawns of this set are represented by devout members of the royal court who are kneeling and posing with their hands in the namaskara mudra position. Hands together and resting on the heart. This gesture symbolises greeting another with the utmost respect and adoration and is expressed as coming from one's third eye or the heart.