The Artist:

Offered here is the iconic Elephant and Mouse from the legendary Doug Anderson (b. 1957) 1981-1985 "Circus" Chess Set, Unknown edition of 25. Anderson is a world-renowned San Francisco ceramicist whose work is featured in the World Chess Hall of Fame and was famously collected by celebrities like Robin Williams and Joe Montana. His style, often called "Andersonian," is defined by whimsical, "comical-realism" characters and his signature "toothy keyboard grins."

The Characters:

The Elephant and Mouse: Anderson's Circus Bishop is notoriously cowardly  From the Massive Elephant fearful of the tiny mouse to a stunning lion too frightened of the crowd to roar. 

​Construction & Condition:

• ​Medium: Hand-sculpted, wheel-thrown ceramic with high-gloss glaze and acrylic hand-painting.
• ​Base: Each piece features a wide, weighted ceramic base banded in 18k Gold Plating.
• ​Authenticity: These pieces are original 1985-era works. While these limited-edition sets were often numbered on the board or rooks, the craftsmanship, glaze quality, and character design are unmistakable Anderson signatures.
• ​Condition: Near Mint / Excellent vintage condition.

​Collector’s Note:

Complete Doug Anderson sets from this era currently retail for $6,000–$12,000. Individual "power piece" like this is highly sought after by collectors looking to complete partial sets or by art enthusiasts looking for standalone sculptural statements.