For a critique of recent works by Mr Pozzi and Dr Klprogge go to my scribd site. http://www.scribd.com/doc/2176454/Twiss-and-Hyde
Lot 59 £480 French Spillikins. Note that Dr. Cholet was probably the leading French collector for more than 40 years, and here are his collection of Jonchets, (See particulally the 'hook' sitting atop the sticks.) He collected in France for so long and never once saw a 'pin cushion' set, and only ever bought a few Joncs!
Well, here I am on the only beach at Dieppe, waiting for some silly chess player who's read Dr. Kloprogge's book, or Mr Pozzis recent article to come and try to stick Jonchete pieces into the 'golden sands'!
I think this picture makes it clear that these are not chess pieces, but French "Spillikins"
These were made by Bertram Jones for Mackett-Beeson around 1950. The model for the "pawns" , was a French "furled flag"
In the intervening years, since I wrote this , I have been to France on over a hundred occasions, and seen probably two or three hundred Jonchete sets. I have had conversations about these objects with several French antique games dealers, and, without exception! none of these French dealers have ever come across a so called 'sand set'.
Jonchete
The numbers on the reverse show that even these 'superior' carved pieces were Jonchete.
The hook used to "get" the pieces is clearly shown in this picture.
clearly showing a hook, furled flag, a flat flag and a king and queen both 'looking' the same way, (this varies)
Lotto Dauphine
Since I wrote this article, I have had written comunication with Bill Jones, (Bertrams son) who confirmed that his father was making 'sand sets' for Mackett-Beeson.
This is what these would look like as chess pieces in the sand. The 'pawns' are furled flags.
These are pieces from a French game Lotto Dauphine. The hot air ballon is considered very collectable.
A rather poor photo of a 20c Lotto dauphine set, always an odd number of drawers with hundreds of games pieces in total, mostly discs and pegs
Some more of Dr. Cholets Jonchets. Note, the fish is from a loto dauphine and the piece sticking out over the top of the bowl is a chinese spilikin piece
Even putting them in a cushion doesn't make 'em look like chess pieces.
This set of jonchets was offered on e-bay recently. (June 08) but may have been bought in (shill bidding using a false avatar account) at $195 and didn't sell.
A selection of Jonchets offered on e-bay. NB. The seller makes the comment that these are Jonchets pieces not chess.
This Jonchets set sold on e-bay recently for E80
I saw these characters the last time I was in Paris.
This is a Roman hair ornament of some sort.
