In this first design of his relating to chess from 1920, Man Ray abandoned all the overly classical and figurative characteristics used to identify the pieces. Instead, he composed them of the pure Euclidean geometric “ideal forms” – cube, sphere, pyramid and cone. He still made iconic associations such as the pyramid with the Egyptian symbol of kingship, the cone with medieval queen’s headgear and the flagon with the bishop’s tradition of creating exotic liqueurs and spirits.

Dadaist that he was, he could not resist interjecting at least one discordant, though still elegant, element into the ensemble. He based the form of the Knight on a found object in his studio, the head scroll of a violin. Its form, too, is based on pure geometry, though it is that of the Fibonacci sequence that defines spiral growth patterns in natural forms.

This design was inspired by Man Ray's lifelong friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist Marcel Duchamp.

Man Ray - Chess Figures

Man Ray

570,00 € tax incl.

Produced by IC Design in collaboration with the Man Ray Trust
Designed by Man Ray in 1920
German solid beech wood
Sizes : 4 to 9 cm
Made by hand in Germany

Chess board available here

Price including taxes. VAT may be withdrawn according to your location.

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This design was inspired by Man Ray's lifelong friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist Marcel Duchamp.

Let customers speak for us

from 104 reviews

Everything was perfect!

Mary R.

Perrotin Store Paris

07/22/2026

Le poster est parfait, le service client impeccable!

Anonymous

JR - La Caverne du Pont Neuf, 2026, #3 (standard poster)

A great collectible. Great people working there and a large choice. Will definitely come back again.

Serge O.

Takashi Murakami - DOB-kun (Dark Blue) Paulownia Box Edition

07/21/2026

A must stop when in Paris

07/20/2026

Thorough and insightful look into Cattelan's practice, as only he himself could present it.

Maurizio Cattelan - Beware of Yourself

Top service

Gilles B.

Susumu Kamijo - Two Blossoms in a Dream

07/16/2026

The delivery was in time and the book was perfect

I love it, it is a very innovative idea

Simona M.

Maurizio Cattelan - The 11th Commandment

C'est une très belle affiche d'artiste. Elle s'accorde parfaitement avec l'affiche du Pont Neuf de Christo.

JR – La Caverne du Pont Neuf, 2026 (standard poster)

07/15/2026

Prompt deliver. Helpful staff

JR - La Caverne du Pont-Neuf Jigsaw Puzzle

Très belle réalisation même si accueil à la galerie très mitigé…

jean-charles r.

JR - La Caverne du Pont Neuf, Soleil couchant, 21 mai 2026, 19h58, Paris, France, 2026

07/14/2026

It is an intimate look at Klara's world. Great publication with full page images well curated. Absolutely love it :)

MARY B.

Klara Kristalova - Perrotin monograph (2021)

07/10/2026

Très joli poster et souvenir de la Caverne de JR

Daniel L.B.

07/09/2026

I did love being at Perrotin Store Paulo Portella Filhk from SPaulo Brazil

Paulo P.F.

Takashi Murakami Stickers - Bubblingly - Flower Parent and Child A

I got very happy buying this book. I came from SPaulo BR to see “ the JR. Pont Neuf” and I met him. O know him from São Paulo. I did love the Perrotinexhibiyion also. I did buy many books at Samaritaine also . Paulo Portella Filho

JR - Inside Out - Version FR

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