A painted figural chess set, entitled 'Topical Chessmen (Suffragettes v The Law). It comprises King and Queen, bishops as judges, rooks as burning buildings, prison cells, policemen as pawns and suffragettes painted with sashes. The original box states that the set was made in London by Disabled Soldiers and Sailors for The Incorporated Soldiers and Sailors Help Society, 122, Brompton Road, London, S.W. This organisation was founded in 1899, and Lord Roberts took a keen interest in the workshops set up after the South African war, in which many ex-servicemen were trained in the making of small articles. The chess set was sold in 'Toy and Athletic Dealers' Probably dates from late 1913-1914.