A Soviet Porcelain chess-set: ' Reds and Whites', Natalia Danko, State Porcelain Manufactory, circa 1926

after a design by the artist, on the White side the King is represented as Death, the Queen as Fortuna from whose cornucopia fall gold coins rather than produce, the Knights are armoured horses surmounted with double-headed eagles, and the Rooks are boats; on the Red side, the King is represented as a blacksmith and the Queen is a maiden holding a sickle and a sheaf of corn, the Bishops are soldiers of the Red Army, the Pawns as workers bearing sickles and sheaves of corn, one red and one white pawn each with impressed K

The Reds: All in overall good condition. The stars on the boats have minor chips at the corners. Light wear to the gilding and paintwork consistent with age and use. The Whites: Wear to the gilding as before, particulalry to the breast plate of one of the knights. The black paintwork is worn on the chains of the pawns.
"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."

A very similar chess set was formerly in the Rostropovich-Vishnevskaya Collection, sold Sotheby's, London, 18th September 2007, lot 148.  For other examples see the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Chess: East and West, Past and Present, no. 67, 1968 and  T.N. Nosovich, I.P. Popova: State Porcelain Manufactory 1904-1944, St. Petersburg Orkestra, 2005, p.351