Man Ray Chess Set with Board by IC Design

Man Ray’s 1920s chess design, complete: 32 beech pieces with the matching 17-inch board, made in Germany.

The pieces are clear lacquered or painted black, with wool felt pads underneath; the board is veneered wood with a felt-lined bottom. Both are made in Germany and arrive gift boxed.

Man Ray, the American artist at the heart of Dada and Surrealism in Paris, returned to chess again and again, partly through his friendship with Marcel Duchamp. According to IC Design, Man Ray built the pieces from pure geometric forms – cube, sphere, pyramid and cone – and based the knight on the scroll of a violin; the only original set is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Specifications

• Brand: IC Design (Zurich)
• Model: Man Ray Chess Set with Board
• Designer: Man Ray, 1920s
• Materials: Pieces: solid beech wood, clear lacquered and black painted, wool felt pads; board: veneered wood, clear lacquered and black painted, wool felt bottom
• Contents: 32 chess pieces + chess board, each gift boxed
• Piece heights: King and queen 3.25"; knight 2"; rook and pawn 1.4"; other pieces up to 2.75"
• Board: 17" × 17" × 0.75"
• Made in: Germany
• Item number (MPN): IC-MRC-SET

Features

• Pieces: solid beech wood, clear lacquered and black painted, wool felt pads; board: veneered wood, clear lacquered and black painted, wool felt bottom
• Designed by Man Ray (1920s)
• Made in Germany
• IC Design edition
• Gift boxed

Best for

Living-room coffee tables, studies, game tables and design collections. Also from IC Design: Man Ray Chess Board, Man Ray Chess Pieces, 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 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

Dust the board with a soft, dry cloth.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Man Ray Chess Set with Board?

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

What is the Man Ray Chess Set with Board made of?

Pieces: solid beech wood, clear lacquered and black painted, wool felt pads; board: veneered wood, clear lacquered and black painted, wool felt bottom. Made in Germany.

Is the Man Ray Chess Set with Board complete and ready to play?

Yes.

How do I care for the Man Ray Chess Set with Board?

Dust the board with a soft, dry cloth.

How fast does the Man Ray Chess Set with Board 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.