David Kracov (American, b. 1968). Disney Millennium / 75th Anniversary chess set with board (18 of 25), 1998. Artist's signature on board and on underside of each figure. Incised "DK + RK" in an arrow-strickeDavid Kracov (American, b. 1968). Disney Millennium or 75th Anniversary chess set with board (18 of 25), 1998. Artist's signature on board and on underside of each figure. Incised "DK + RK" in an arrow-stricken heart with "'98" (date) is marked on the underside of banana peel Goofy's left foot. A rare chess set of a delightful Disney design, all created by American artist David Kracov. One of only 25 produced, the set was made in celebration of Disney's 75th anniversary and the Millennium and features all the classic Disney characters formed from clay and wood in polychrome versus black and white, including Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck with ship helms and tripod video cameras serving as the pawns. Size of board: 29.25" L x 29.25" W x 2" H (74.3 cm x 74.3 cm x 5.1 cm); of largest piece (Goofy): 4" L x 3.9" W x 5.5" H (10.2 cm x 9.9 cm x 14 cm)

The set consists of 32 hand-sculpted and fired playing pieces, every piece a sculpture in its own right. Hand-cast and hand-painted, each sculpture consists of multiple castings which have been carefully assembled to exacting detail. Kracov also created a similar set which instead shows the polychrome pawns as the Magic Brooms from Disney's "Fantasia" and Goofy holding a cake with the number 75 - for the 75th anniversary - while tripping on a rolling pin rather than a banana.

According to the artist's website: "Born in Boston, David Kracov studied at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and began his career in animation with the Brad Pitt feature, Cool World. David went on to work with Disney Animation, Don Bluth Animation, Rich Animation, as well as several other studios, working on such features as The Lion King, Aladdin, etc.

During his time as an illustrator, David began to experiment with different types of clay, and started sculpting the characters from those films he animated. Ultimately, after his work was discovered at a local art exhibition, David was commissioned to create a limited edition chess set for the Warner Bros. Studio Stores. Not long after that David was contacted by Disney Studios to create sculptures of individual characters as well as chess sets for their stores, galleries, theme parks and catalog.

Kracov?s vibrant color palette shows up again in his unique steel wall sculptures. Each in a limited edition of only 55 works that begin with hundreds of small sketches that are then hand-cut from a single sheet of steel and then finished with detailed painting in a high-grade, water-based, acrylic polymer paint. Each edition is finished individually so that no two are alike. The meticulous steel work along with his scrutinizing attention to detail allow these sculptures to take on a life."

Provenance: private Alpine, Utah, USA collection, purchased in April 2000 at the Disneyana store in Disneyland

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#185163

Artist's signature on board and on underside of each figure. Incised "DK + RK" in an arrow-stricken heart with "'98" on underside of each color Goofy's left foot. Some pieces have been professionally repaired with adhesive visible and a few small areas of chipping to paint. Overall excellent presentation with remarkable detail. Custom signed chessboard included.