A German damascened steel and walnut folding games board, second half 17th century, the exterior

A German damascened steel and walnut folding games board, second half 17th century, the exterior surfaces for chess and nine-men`s`-morris, the interior for backgammon, with the arms of Promnitz within an oval reserve to the centre of one backgammon half, a monogram with coronet within a similar reserve to the other, the silver on niello floral damascening on a ground of foliate incised gilt steel, the clasp plates, hinges and corner mounts with conforming decoration, the corner mounts with bun feet, 5.5cm high, 26cm square, closed; 3cm high, 52cm wide, 26cm deep, opened; and a Continental gilt and silver coloured metal chess set, 19th century, the pieces cast in 17th century military dress, the kings in ceremonial attire 5.5cm high, the pawns, 3cm high. Provenance: The Estate of the late Dame Miriam Rothschild. Silesia in the South West part of Poland, bordering Saxony to one side and the Austrian Czech territories to the other, was first incorporated into the Polish State in the 10th century, but later broke into independent duchies, coming under increasing German influence. It came under the rule of the Crown of Bohemia, which passed to Austria in 1526. Most of Silesia was conquered by Prussia in 1742. The production of this fine games board dates to the period of Austrian dominance, and it is speculatively suggested that it would have been housed at the Promnitz palace in Zary. Promnitz of Silesia was granted a barony in 1559, the head of the family being advanced to a Count in June 1652. It is worth noting though that coronets of the nobility in both Germany and Austria were not rank specific and indicated only that the arms were those of a noble. The arms on the games box therefore might not post date the advancement to the status of Count. Please note: this is damascened steel and mulberry, not walnut as catalogued. Visit www.dnfa.com for condition reports.