The Isle of Lewis Classic Chess Set

This meticulously crafted crushed stone chess set replicates the ancient carved ivory chess pieces unearthed by a wandering Scot in 1831 on a receding sandbank at the shore of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides islands. At first thought to be Celtic faery figurines, the pieces were quickly identified as the oldest chessmen ever discovered, dated by London's British Museum to the 12th century. Of the original pieces, 67 now reside in the British Museum, while the remaining 11 are located in Edinburgh, Scotland at the National Museum. The pieces evoke a time of transition for the British Isles late Viking warrior culture as it assimilated Western European military traditions, such as replacing the traditional round shield with the Norman kite shield, and shifting from simple "open" helmets to models fitted with ear and neck guards. Imported from Hull, England, the pieces are carefully molded from crushed stone combined with resin and will not crack or chip. Each is cushioned on a layer of fine burgundy felt to prevent scratching the 2" squares of the natural American walnut and sycamore veneered chessboard. 19 1/2" sq. board; king is 3 3/4" H.