MoMA | Chess Set | Panisa

The Panisa Chess Set was designed by Panisa Khunprasert, whose work is influenced by her experiences growing up in her family’s toy business in Thailand. After graduating with an MFA in Product Design from The School of Visual Arts in New York, Khunprasert returned to the family business where she now works as a toy and game designer. This chess set features minimalist turned-wood chess pieces that evoke modern sculptures.

Subtle details are employed to identify the various pieces: a diagonal slice on the oval-shaped Bishop suggests a liturgical headpiece; two deep grooves create castle turrets for the cylindrical Rook; the Knight’s arched lines follow the shape of a horse’s head.

The foldable wooden chess board with magnetic closure is designed for easy storage of the pieces, which are contained in two cloth bags.