Man Ray Chess Pieces by IC Design

All 32 of Man Ray’s geometric chess pieces in solid beech, clear lacquered and black, made in Germany.

IC Design’s re-edition of Man Ray’s chess pieces comes as a set of 32 in solid beech wood, half clear lacquered and half painted black. Each piece has a wool felt pad underneath. The king and queen stand 3.25 inches, the knight 2 inches and the rook and pawn 1.4 inches. Made in Germany and gift boxed; the board is sold separately.

Man Ray designed his first chess pieces in the 1920s, abandoning the carved, figurative look of traditional sets. IC Design notes that Man Ray composed the pieces from cube, sphere, pyramid and cone, shaped the knight after a violin’s scroll, and that this re-edition is licensed with the Man Ray Trust.

Specifications

• Brand: IC Design (Zurich)
• Model: Man Ray Chess Pieces
• Designer: Man Ray, 1920s
• Materials: Solid beech wood with clear lacquered and black painted finishes; wool felt pad under each piece
• Contents: 32 chess pieces
• Piece heights: King and queen 3.25"; knight 2"; rook and pawn 1.4"; other pieces up to 2.75"
• Board: Not included (sold separately)
• Packaging: Gift boxed
• Made in: Germany
• Item number (MPN): IC-MRCS

Features

• Solid beech wood with clear lacquered and black painted finishes; wool felt pad under each piece
• Designed by Man Ray (1920s)
• Made in Germany
• IC Design edition
• Gift boxed

Best for

Chess players who already own a board, collectors of artist editions and design-minded studies. Also from IC Design: Man Ray Chess Set with Board, Man Ray Chess Board, Cy Endfield Travel Chess Set.

Who this is not for

• Players who want standard Staunton pieces: this is an artist’s design with unconventional shapes.
• Anyone expecting a board: it is sold separately.
• Anyone who needs it within a day or two: it ships in 2–3 business days.
• Shoppers looking for a mass-produced lookalike: this is a licensed IC Design edition, and the details reflect that.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009. IC Design is the Zurich company behind licensed re-editions of 20th-century artist and designer objects, made with museums, estates and foundations.

Buy once: durability and care

Our advice: dust with a soft, dry cloth and keep it out of direct sun and away from water.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Man Ray Chess Pieces?

King and queen 3.25"; knight 2"; rook and pawn 1.4"; other pieces up to 2.75".

What is the Man Ray Chess Pieces made of?

Solid beech wood with clear lacquered and black painted finishes; wool felt pad under each piece. Made in Germany.

Is the Man Ray Chess Pieces sold with a board?

No. The 32 pieces are sold on their own; the matching Man Ray board is a separate product.

How do I care for the Man Ray Chess Pieces?

Our advice: dust with a soft, dry cloth and keep it out of direct sun and away from water.

How fast does the Man Ray Chess Pieces ship?

Ships in 2–3 business days.

Gifting & trade orders

Buying several as gifts, or for a shop, museum store or interior project? Contact us for quantities.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, contractors and builders can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on IC Design and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and free catalogs and finish swatches. Applying takes about three minutes; our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day. Furnishing a hotel suite, a children’s space or a shop display? Contact us with items and quantities and we’ll confirm availability.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days.

Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.