Chess Pieces from Ingmar Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal” Sold by Bukowskis in Sweden for $144,000 Today

Assets from legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman’s estate were auctioned today by Bukowskis in Sweden (as previously reported, see Personal Property & Memorabilia of Legendary Filmmaker Ingmar Bergman to be Auctioned in Stockholm, Sweden).

While the majority of the items represented personally owned furniture, artwork, and other personal belongings, there was one lot which contained what the auction house believed was “probably” the chess pieces used in the most well-known of all Bergman films, The Seventh Seal. It realized a price of 1,000,000.00 SEK (about $144,000.00 U.S.).

This sale follows Mr. Bergmans passing in 2007, with personal property from his homes in Sweden.

Bergman has long been one of my favorite filmmakers, so I was personally interested in learning more about Lot 270, “A SET OF 31 PLASTER AND WOODEN CHESSPIECES”. Particularly, if they were indeed “the” set used in the famous film, representing some of the most iconic images in film history. As such, they represent one of the most important original prop artifacts to be offered to market this year.

Auction House Bukowskis marketed this lot from their auction as “[p]robably the same set that was used in “The Seventh Seal” from 1957“. They were kind enough to provide me with some very high resolution images of each of the pieces weeks in advance of the sale.

Fortunately, The Seventh Seal happens to be the only Bergman film released in Blu-Ray Disc format, courtesy of Criterion.

In carefully reviewing the high definition, 1080p (1980×1020) Blu-Ray version of the film, frame by frame, I was able to “screen-match” many of the pieces of the set offered at auction today, which sold for 1,000,000.00 SEK (about $144,000.00 U.S.).

Image from Live Video Feed of the Sale of the Pieces

The details of the lot can be found at the official auction site (Lot 270):

The official Bukowskis auction catalog listing included more details:

Below are example images from the superb hardcover version of the actual auction catalog (click each image for higher resolution):

As an aside, the catalog is beautiful and a wonderful keepsake in and of itself – Bukowskis published a fantastic volume. The hardcover edition is limited to 500 numbered copies. If either edition may still be available from Bukowskis, it is highly recommended: www.bukowskis.se

Blu-Ray Disc Analysis – Chess Pieces from The Seventh Seal

In my analysis, I was able to match, to varying degrees, at least six of the custom wood and plaster chess pieces – the Black King, the Black Queen, one Black Rook, one White Rook and both White Bishops.

Analysis was of course limited by the angles, lighting, camera distance, and resolution of the pieces as seen in the three separate scenes in the film, The Seventh Seal, which featured the chess game between Max von Sydow (as Antonius Block) and Bengt Ekerot (as Death).

Below are some example high definition, 1080p screencaptures from the Criterion Blu-Ray Disc of The Seventh Seal (click any image for full resolution):

Below is a number of direct comparisons I made between specific pieces from the set offered at auction by Bukowskis with pieces seen on screen in the film, The Seventh Seal.

Click any image compilation below for higher resolution (which have actually been resized down from my working images for quicker loading – actual analysis at significantly higher resolution).

One interesting aspect of the chess pieces offered at auction is that the White King is actually missing. Though it is actually somewhat fitting, when reflecting back on the actual film narrative, it does appear that the White King was damaged during filming. With the final chess-related scene, Max von Sydow pretends to accidentally knock the pieces over (once he realizes he will lose).

In studying the film, following that action, one of the two chair tops on the White King piece is broken off and missing (see two White King screencaptures in the top left of the first compilation below).

Though the White King is missing, in studying the images from the film, it is obvious that there are significant differences between the White King and the Black King:

• The top crowns of the chairs differ substantially
• The size of the holes drilled in the chair backs above the head differ significantly in diameter and placement
• The White King lacks the details/lines in the chair back area above the King’s crown
• The placement of the lines down along the chair sides differ substantially

However, the Bukowskis Black King and the Black King piece as seen in the film match up in many significant ways.

As seen in the side-by-side compilation above (left side marked for illustration), there are many marks and details that match exactly, as do the overall shapes of the chair tops. Per Bukowskis, the Black King piece is hand-carved wood, which eliminates the prospect that the unique marks and shapes are from a casting. Direct comparison with the White King as seen in the film also illustrates that each piece have very unique features.

I have also found matches with the Rook pieces.

As seen below, there are variances between each of the Rook pieces, which are consistent with what is seen on screen in the film.

As seen in the comparisons above, the drilled holes as seen in the two Bukowski pieces are consistent with the drilled holes and placement as seen in the two cropped stills from the Blu-Ray disc. The White Rook has a hole drilled that is offset to the left (nearly directly under the left eye) while the Black Rook has a hole drilled center in relation to the face of the piece. Though the angle and resolution is not significant enough to be certain, it also appears that the mark/cut leading up from the left eye of the Black Rook also *may* match up with what is seen in the screencapture beside it, though I would say it is inconclusive.

In the next compilation above, showing two different angles of one of the two Black Rook pieces, it appears that two marks as seen in the same style piece shown in the film exactly match the Bukowskis piece. The area marked with a green square shows a hole in the top of the piece, above the center-drilled hole (marked with a red circle). This corresponds with the Bukowskis piece.

Additionally, there is a substantial and unique white mark below and to the left of the hole identified with the green square, which has also been marked with a yellow, rounded box. There appears to be a matching mark on the Bukowskis piece (though photographed at a different angle).

Based on these marks, this Bukowskis Black Rook appears to match the same piece as seen in that shot in the film.

In further study of the film, it also appears that one of the two White Rooks also matches one seen on screen in a specific shot within the film.

As seen in the compilation above, this photo of one of the two White Rooks provided by Bukowskis has two very substantial grooves cut into the side of the piece – one adjacent to the right eye – the other below in the midsection.

As seen in the blow-up from the Blu-Ray still captures, the piece depicted seems to share the same characteristics, which are not part of the design of the piece. These areas have been marked for comparison.

The next piece carefully studied is the Queen piece. Below is a compilation which includes photos of both the White Queen and Black Queen offered by Bukowskis and screencaptures of close-ups of the Black Queen as seen in the film.

As was the case with the King pieces, there are substantial differences between the Black Queen and the White Queen. In addition to the area between the legs of the horses, the crowns worn by the riders in each piece are very different. As such, the Bukowskis Black Queen compares very favorable with the piece seen on screen in the film. The crown appears to match, there is a unique cut/groove into the forehead of the horse, and there *may* by a matching mark on the front right shoulder of the horse (consistent but lacking detail to be absolutely conclusive).

The last pieces studied, which illustrated enough detail on screen to compare unique traits, were the two White Bishops.

As seen in the compilation above, one of the two Bukowskis White Bishops have a center hole drilled all the way through the piece, while the other lacks a hole in the back.

As seen in the accompanying screencapture, the same can be said of the two pieces seen on the playing board in that shot.

Concluding Remarks

Through my research, and based on the information provided above, along with the fact that this set of pieces was personally owned by The Seventh Seal filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, I am personally convinced that this was “the” set employed in the making of the movie, and as seen on screen in the classic film.

Having said that, and being such an admirer of Ingmar Bergman’s work, as well as one who feels it is important to preserve these artifacts from film and television, I am extremely pleased to know that these pieces have survived for more than fifty years.

Though I did personally place what would now appear to be a very modest bid on the set of pieces, I am actually grateful that they did sell for a very large sum of money, in that it should ensure that they are well preserved and cared for going into the future.

Other items making up the balance of the 337 lot catalog did extremely well, with pieces generally selling for many, many times the actual estimates. A reflection of the affection and admiration for the great filmmaker.

Jason DeBord