CHESS PIECE SET India, Berhampur, early 19th century, probably John's Company. 32 figures carved in ivory and partly coloured green/grey. King and queen riding a howdah. Knight as camel rider. Bishop as a horse rider. The rooks as maharaja on elephants. With assorted wooden casket inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory and partly ebonised wood in geometric decoration. 2 keys. H König 8 cm, Bauer 3.5 and 4 cm respectively. Weapons and attributes partly incomplete. White king with missing spikes. 1 white tower with missing arm. Casket somewhat warped and with signs of wear, scratches. Provenance: - Victor Keats (according to inventory note). - Phillips London, auction T0258, 20 April 1999, lot 134 (invoice available). - Swiss private ownership. The name of this set probably comes from the John Company, which was active in India from the 18th century onwards and produced chess pieces for the British East India Company.