Isle of Lewis Chess Set Pieces

These Isle of Lewis Chess Set Pieces are reproduced from a set discovered off the coast of Lewis Island in Scotland. They date back to the late-12th Century, and these pieces uphold the proud traditions of the game of chess.

Built For Your Chess Games

Crafted from polystone, these medieval chess pieces depict historical designs with intricate hand painted details. Please note this set does not come with a chessboard. This set includes 32 pieces, 16 light beige ones and 16 dark reddish brown ones. As per the rules of chess, both sides have the same quantity of pieces.

The most important piece is the king, depicted with a sword and a crown. The light beige king has a crown with a studded band on his head. Just underneath, the light beige king piece has a short beard on his chin. The light beige king is also depicted sitting down on an imaginary throne. Laid across his lap is a broadsword, carved with a hook pommel. The light beige king has intricately carved robes with grooves and embroidery. The sash running down his left shoulder has a carved zigzagging pattern for added depth and detail. On the sides, the king’s throne is adorned with Celtic knotwork.

Moving onto the light beige queen, she has a similarly intricate dress with a stylish studded crown. The light beige queen’s cloak has a brooch carved at the center. Around her waist is a carved belt. On the sides, the queen’s throne is adorned with carved patterns. The light beige bishop piece has a small biretta, also known as a small bishop hat. In the bishop’s left hand, he holds a carved stick designed to look like a shepherd’s staff. In the right, the light beige bishop holds a realistically carved open book. The book also has realistic grooves to make it look like paper on the sides. More zigzagged embroidery lines the hem of the bishop’s cloak. On the sides, the bishop’s throne has intricately carved Celtic knotwork.

The light beige knight is mounted on a carved horse with a sword sheathed at the side of the carved saddle. The light beige knight also has a tall kite shield in its left hand. The light beige knight also wears a conical helmet with intricate grooves around the brow and ears. The light beige knight’s hair and beard are long. Moving down the length of the knight, the light beige horse has period-accurate saddling and equipment carved on it. The reigns connect the head of the horse to the knight’s hand. A carved cloth with grooves on it is the caparison, also known as a horse blanket. The light beige rook piece has a broadsword and a kite shield. The shield has carved trim and a knotwork symbol as its charge. The light beige rook has a conical helm like the knight complete with a studded band around the brow. Ending with the light beige pawn, it is designed to look like a stone with Celtic knotwork carved into it.

Every chess set needs two sides to play the game and simulate the battles of medieval history. The dark reddish brown pieces have different details than the light beige pieces to distinguish them on the battlefield of chess. Starting with the king, the dark reddish brown king has a longer beard and an intricately detailed robe. On the sides, the dark king’s throne has an intricately carved floral design. The dark queen has her left hand on a drinking horn and her right on her face. The dark bishop piece has a shepherd’s staff with an orb on the head. The dark bishop’s right hand is held up as a sign of blessing with two fingers raised. Moving onto the next piece, the dark reddish brown knight has a spear in its right hand with a tall kite shield on its left. The caparison around the dark knight’s horse has intricate embroidery. The dark rook, armed with a sword and shield, is depicted in a battle-ready stance. Emblazoned on the dark rook’s shield is a cross inside of a simple diamond shape. The dark reddish brown pawn is also designed to look like a stone. The pawn has intricate embossing and knotwork on its surface.

Enhance Your Chess Matches

What makes this set of chess pieces unique is not only their remarkable attention to detail, but their historical authenticity. When you sit down to play chess using these Lewis chessmen, you’re stepping back into medieval history. Keep this medieval chess set on a separate chessboard to awe your guests the next time they visit. Add this Isle of Lewis chess set to your collection today and experience the charm of medieval times.

Key Features:

• Set of 32: Includes 32 pieces, 16 light beige pieces and 16 dark reddish brown pieces.
• Historical Authenticity: Marvel at these reproductions of the Isle of Lewis chess artifacts.
• Exquisite Details: Admire the details on each hand-painted polystone chess piece.
• Perfect for Your Chessboard: Add these chess pieces to your favorite chessboard, not included.
• Elevate Your Collection: Elevate your chess collection with these Isle of Lewis pieces.

Materials:

• Made of polystone with a foam piece holder

Measurements:

• Overall Length of each piece: 1.75 Inches
• Overall Width of each piece: 1.25 Inches
• Overall Height of each piece: 3.5 Inches
• Color Box Length: 15.1 Inches
• Color Box Width: 9.75 Inches
• Color Box Height: 4.25 Inches

Measurements are approximate.