The American Chess Foundation (donated by the artist. Sale: Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, 18th May 1961, lot 80)
Emily Staempfli, New York (purchased at the above sale)
Private Collection, New York
Zabriskie Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner

New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Summer Loan Exhibition, 1966
Philadelphia, Museum of Art, Emily McFadden Staempfli Collection, 1968
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Zoller Gallery, Surrealism: A Celebration, 1974

The chessboard has some light surface dirt and very light wear to some of the squares, inherent to the artist's working process. Apart from 4 nailhead-sized irregularities to the wood along the lower edge of the chess board, this work is in good condition. Colours: the wood is slightly richer, warmer and more attractive in the original
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Throughout their long friendship, Man Ray and Duchamp played chess together at every opportunity. Both thoroughly enjoyed the game that served for them a pure meeting of minds. Duchamp was an accomplished player, a member of the French team in international tournaments, while Man Ray characterised himself as 'a third-rate player - a wood pusher.' It was Duchamp who noticed that his 'interest was directed toward designing new forms for chess pieces,' designs that Man Ray claimed were 'of not much interest to players but to me a fertile field of investigation' (Man Ray, Self Portrait, Boston & London, 1988, p. 186).

Indeed, both Duchamp and Man Ray produced chess sets and boards of their own design. Man Ray produced a number of wooden and aluminium chess sets in Hollywood in the 1940s which were sold successfully. In 1960 Duchamp accepted chairmanship of the Arts Committee of the American Chess Foundation, with the responsibility of raising money for the organization.

With this goal in mind, he came up with the idea of staging a charity auction at Parke-Bernet Galleries in 1961 of works donated by his artist friends and collectors, including Cocteau, E.L.T. Mesens, Ernst, Dubuffet and Calder. From Paris, Man Ray contributed the present work consisting of a 1946 chess set and given a new perspective by adding a mannequin figure. When Duchamp showed the assembly to his wife Alexina, she found it "magical", but wondered why it was missing the white king and queen. Whether or not Man Ray responded to this inquiry is unknown, but it is clear that he wanted the game to appear to be in play, in an effort to fool chess enthusiasts into trying to figure out the status of the game, which has been rendered paralysed as a result of the absence of the white king, a status of impasse that is further highlighted by the interfering mannequin figure. Before the work was submitted to auction, Duchamp inscribed à Man Ray on the underside of the mannequin's foot. This dedication was not only intended as a gesture of friendship, but also an acknowledgement of their collaboration over the years. By all accounts, the auction was a great success. Knights on a Square Table was sold to Emily Staempfli, wife of the New York art dealer George Staempfli, for $1,500, and the auction raised $37,000 for the American Chess Foundation.

Francis M. Naumann

This work has been requested for the exhibition Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia toᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ be held at the Tate Modern, London and the Museu Nacional d'Arte de Catalunya, Barcelona, fᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚrom February to September 2008.