Lot #983. ICE Aluminum Abstract Chessmen, 1972

Description 1972 ICE Columbia Aluminum Chessmen. This set of ICE Columbia Aluminum Chessmen is a limited edition of 200, produced in 1972 by The Columbia Aluminum Extrusion Group. The I,C,E. set was designed by mid-century modernist Scott Wolfe for The Columbia Aluminum Extrusion Group (ICE). The 32 pieces were cut from an Aluminum extrusion using the same tooling employed to produce the very rare 1972 copper version of this set. The light army is left in natural Aluminum, while the opposing army is differentiated by slicing the pieces from an anodized extrusion producing a matte black finish along the sides. The King measures 5″ with a 1-1/4″ square base. The Queen is 4 3/4′ tall, the bishop is 4 3/8″ tall, the Knight is 4″ tall, the Rook is 3 5/8″ tall and each Pawn measures 3 3/8″ tall.” The pieces are strikingly abstract in form. The King and Queen is represented by crowns, the bishop is a shield bearing a Christian cross, and the Knight a silhouette of a horse head. The most unique feature are the Pawns, which are represented as Silhouettes of a hand wielding an axe. Each of the chess pieces is stamped in their underside with “ICE 1972“. This abstract chess set design with its clean lines is typical of the Minimalist and cubist movements which permeated design and architecture during that period. The ICE Columbia Aluminum Chessmen are shipped in the configuration shown. THE BLACK AND SILVER ETCHED GLASS CHESSBOARD SHOWN ON THE TABLE IS NOT INCLUDED. However, the set DOES INCLUDE THE CHESSBOARD with 2-1/4″ black and white squares shown separately in the gallery. Background: This Chess Set was manufactured by The Columbia Aluminum Extrusion Group.as a limited edition of 200 for promotional purposes in 1972. An extremely rare Copper variant was also produced. (See: https://chessantiqu)es.com/product/ice-abstract-copper-chess-set_1972/