The Inmates (‘Captum’); Classic Mordovian ‘Gulag Factory 5’ Chessmen, Soviet, c.1947-1955

Captum (‘The Inmates’); 32 vintage chess pieces without board, Soviet/Mordovia, Gulag production, oak wood, light brown vs. black, partially restored, weight added, c.1950.

Height: King 9.5cm or 3 3/4”, weight 22g, base width 36mm

Queen 8.5cm, wt. 20g

Bishop 7.5cm, 13g

Knight 6.5cm 16g

Rook 5cm 22g

Pawns 4.3cm 8g

W: Gulag blue felt pads; B: same

 

These chessmen are a fine example of one of the earliest Mordovian patterns that were manufactured in the remote Gulag penal systems of the former Soviet Union. It is one of four trademark designs produced in the Mordovian “Cultural Goods” factories from 1947 on, appearing in various guises until the early 1970s. Links to a more in-depth discussion on the history of these Mordovian sets can be found by clicking here: The ‘Gulag’ Knights (Nov. 2019) & The Gulag ‘Knight’ of Mordovia (Feb. 2024).

 

This handsome set of chessmen was purchased as part of my research for the 2024 Gulag chessay and provided the model for the black and white knight sketch featured in the article. Each army carries a wonderful patina that has gained a very smooth, eggshell-like finish over the decades. Weight has been added as well as new covers for the bases. The finials of the royals are exact replicas, aged and matched to the original patina. One dark knight’s ear was chipped and restored, and one white knight’s muzzle also has an invisible repair. There is a small dink at the base of one white pawn, which I’ve let be, as it’s an old wound and inoffensive to the eye. In fact, anything that I found unpleasing to the eye has been addressed, resulting in a very uniform and extremely attractive set of septuagenarian chessmen.

 

If you’re partial to a stocky, characterful, square-jawed knight, then this is the set for you! And I hope you get as much enjoyment out of them as I have over the last few years.

 

*** last 3 photos show the repaired knight ear, pawn dink and ‘befores’ of the knight muzzle.

 

BOTH QUEENS carry the hand-painted iridescent GOLD 2024 ‘Power signature’ of the artist on their bases. The set is also accompanied by our unique signed and stamped ‘Certificate of Artistry’ (see our Jan 2022 chessay, THE UNTOLD OF THE C.O.A. for more info on these beauties!).

 

Etsy Set Price: $850.00

 

Ref Code: C24