Staunton Chessboard
Staunton Chessboard
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 3 inches STAUNTON EBONIZED CHESS SET cod 1001  US $17.95
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 3 inches STAUNTON ROSEWOOD and BOXWOOD CHESS SET cod 1000 US $16.95
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 MAGNETIC TRAVEL CHESS SET AND BOARD 7 INCHES cod 3002 US $16.99
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 WOOD CHESS SET CHESS BOARD 14 FOLDING LEATHER CASE US $84.95
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 UNIQUE STAUNTON CHESS SET 3 WEIGHTED 2 EXTRA QUEENS US $34.95
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 WOOD CHESS SET MAGNETIC PIECES CHESS BOARD 12 FOLDING LEATHER CASE US $54.95
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 Weighted Staunton Ebony Wood Chess Set Pieces 4Q US $119.90
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 4 Elite Premier Staunton Chess Pieces Cardinal Rosewood US $19.00
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 Tournament Chess Set Triple Weighted Pieces Board Bag US $32.99
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 Staunton Chess Men Pieces Set 3 King with 17 Walnut Wood Board US $189.99
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 Macassar Ebony Maple Chess Board 2 $5995 US $9.99
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 FOLDING travel CHESS BOARD W STAUNTON WOOD men set US $65.00
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 Teak Maple Deluxe Chess Board 2 $9995 US $9.99
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 Weighted Staunton Bud Rose Wood Chess Set Pieces 4Q US $124.90
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 House of Staunton Mahogany Chess Box US $26.00
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 House of Staunton Red Burl Fitted Briefcase US $56.00
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 Weighted Staunton Chess Game Set Pieces 4Q Rose Wood US $104.90
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 House of Staunton Red Burl Premium Chess Box US $29.77
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 House of Staunton Red Burl Premium Fitted Chess Box US $102.50
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 House of Staunton Walnut Burl Fitted Briefcase US $51.77
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 The House of Staunton Classic Traditional Chessboard US $16.05
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 Black Ash Burl High Gloss Chess Board 2 Squares US $111.99
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 Classic Marina Black Marble Chess Set 16 US $127.99
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 7 inches MAGNETIC WOODEN chessboard chess set WONDERFUL US $18.99
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 Wooden Popular Staunton Chess Pieces 3 2 Extra Queen US $34.95
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 Tournament No 4 Staunton European Wooden Chess Set US $61.60
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 Wooden Weighted Staunton Chess Set Ebony Wood Piece 4Q US $59.90
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 German Staunton Chess Set in Green Ivory 3 1 4 King US $19.95
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 Mephisto Talking Chess Trainer Computer Reg $5295 US $9.99
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 7 Magnetic Travel Wood Chess Set with Fitted Insert US $59.12
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 Wooden Staunton Chess Pieces Sovereign 325 Dbl Qns US $44.95
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 SET 4 HEAVY CHESS PIECES MOUSEPAD BOARD DELUXE BAG US $59.99
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Chessmen Past From the Isle of Lewis
This article is presented to the interested reader as a way of shedding light on an aspect of the history of chess that the reader may not be too familiar with. The Isle of Lewis chessmen form at least one interesting boundary between the Arabic and European eras in chess piece interpretation and design. Prior to the 11th century the predominant influence on chess in Europe was from Islam. Muslim craftsmen, following the dictates of their religion, were loath to paint, carve, draw, or chisel anything resembling the human figure. Europeans however, were not so constrained, and the Isle of Lewis chessmen were one result of that artistic freedom.
The Isle of Lewis chessmen were discovered in the New Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland in 1831. There are 93 pieces altogether, and they were first put on public display on April 11, 1831 by the Society of Antiquaries in Scotland. It is thought that they probably originated from a craftsman`s shop in Trondheim, Norway, dating from a period ranging from 1150-1200 AD. One can easily see in the Isle of Lewis chessmen, that European influence had finally arrived on the medieval European chessboard. Far from the abstract Muslim designs, the Isle of Lewis chessmen were clearly, even aggressively, imitative of the human form. The pieces are clearly recognizable as the King and Queen (both carved in seated positions), the bishop with his mitred headdress, a knight mounted on his horse complete with shield, helmet, and nose guard. The rook was represented by a warder (a prison guard), and is usually depicted as a “berserker”, a Norse warrior who probably went into battle after eating hallucinogenic mushrooms. The pawns were carved as boundary marker obelisks, and, the original Isle of Lewis chessmen were made from walrus tusks and whale teeth.
Unlike today`s more standardized Staunton designs, the Isle of Lewis chessmen have a surplus of personality and craftsmanship. The first thing one notices about them is the short stature of the body compared to the head. The queen has her left hand up to her face as if to say, “Oh my, what next?” The warder, or berserker (i.e., the rook) is shown wild eyed, and biting down fiercely on his shield. The bishop is easily recognized with mitred headdress and a staff in his right hand. Both the berserkers and the knights have a very skillful design of chain mail on their entire body. The Isle of Lewis chessmen would make a very good gift for either display or play.
Today, the original 93 pieces of the Isle of Lewis chessmen are on display in two regions. Eleven pieces are in Edinburgh, at the National Museum of Scotland, and the other 82 pieces are in the British Museum. It is interesting to note, that if one wishes to play a game of chess using those pieces, a board about 32-3/4” square would be necessary. In the history of chess, the Isle of Lewis chessmen had their time, but, they are not gone. Many online chess sites-including the one this article is tied to-recognize their historic value and sell them. The Isle of Lewis chessmen are dead, long live the Isle of Lewis chessmen!
About the Author
William Smith jr although not an expert player, has had a life long interest in chess, which has lead him to the creation of this general purpose chess website. He may be reached at: William Smith jr
admin@whitehorsechess.com
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