Cardinal Red Isle of Lewis Pieces on Palisander Board   Free Shipping  

Product Code: E250

  • $299.00 USD
  • $349.00 USD
  • Save $50.00 USD

Only 2 left!

Qty:  

Chess House Guarantee

- Easy parts. When buying a chess set online, we've got you covered. With us, you have easy access to parts for years so your set is always playable.
- S
afe, timely arrival. Every order is thoughtfully packed. Plus, delivery time is clear from checkout until it reaches your door.
- Peace of mind. Easy access to our friendly experts and 90 day, no-hassle returns.
That's why 20,965 people rate Chess House 4.8 out of 5 stars.
(read more)

chesshouse.com widget logo

Product Details

Here are the iconic Isle of Lewis chess pieces on a fine Santos Palisander chessboard from Spain.

The skilled craftsmen at Berkeley Chess have interpreted the Isle of Lewis chessmen on capturing the majesty of the original sculptures. Paired with this amazing chess board it's a fine chess set anchored in history.

 

The Chessmen

Originally crafted from walrus ivory and whales teeth the iconic Isle of Lewis chess pieces were discovered in the vicinity of Uig on the Isle of Lewis some time before 11 April 1831. The precise location seems to have been a sand dune where they may have been placed in a small, dry stone chamber. The hoard which consisted of 78 chess pieces and 15 other artifacts was initially shown at the Scottish Antiquaries Society in Edinburgh which hoped to acquire it but was unsuccessful in its fundraising efforts. The British Museum eventually acquired it between November 1831 and January 1832.

The pieces were probably made in Trondheim, Norway, about AD 1150-1200. At this period, the Western Isles, where the chess pieces were found, were part of the Kingdom of Norway, not Scotland. It seems likely they were buried for safe keeping on route to be traded in Ireland.

The chess pieces testify to the strong cultural and political connections between the kingdoms of the British Isles and Scandinavia in the Middle Ages, and to the growing popularity within Europe of the game of chess, the origins of which lie in India after around 500 BC. Chess arrived in Christian Europe via the Islamic world, where the game was adapted to reflect medieval European society. Of the ninety-three pieces of this hoard known to us today, eleven pieces are in Edinburgh at the National Museum of Scotland, and eighty-two are in the British Museum.

  • King Height: 3.5"
  • King Base: 1 7/8"
  • King Weight: 4.1oz
  • Set Weight: 53.6oz (3lbs 5.6oz)
  • 32 Pieces
  • Boxed weight 4lbs 10oz

 

The Chessboard

Stylish Santos Palisander and Maple veneered board features an inlay border and a matte finish that is pleasing to the eye and touch. The striped and highly visible grain of the Palisander wood is of the Dalbergia genus, the same family as Rosewood and for this reason is an especially nice pair with many rosewood sets.

The playing surface and other surfaces are finished with high quality veneers and a special finish to enhance and protect the wood, giving the chess board a smooth matte finish and preventing glare. The board is manufactured in Spain with the same techniques used for high-end furniture.

  • Board dimensions 21 5/8" x 21 5/8" x 1/2" (21.63")
  • Square size: 2 1/8" (2.13")



Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
67%
(2)
33%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
M
Martin Shelton

The pieces are really nice. I’m a bit disappointed that the berserker rook is not part of this set, but I went for it anyway. The board is good, but the veneer work is somewhat slipshod-the squares in one row are offset so the corners don’t meet at a point.
Overall a very nice set, but a bit overpriced based on the quality of the board.

J
Jeffrey Patterson

Great product, you can tell there is some fine craftsmanship at work here. It is a littler bigger than I expected!

M
Matt Pidgeon
Can’t wait to play!

Though this is a family Christmas present, I can’t help but reopening this gift to my family and admiring the beauty and craftsmanship that was put into it. This will be a family piece that can be passed down from father to son for generations. I am elated about my purchase and look forward to teaching my children how to play on Christmas morning. Thank you again!

Get our How to Play Guide FREE
with any order of $10 or more!




Why Chess House?

Unique Selection
of vetted products

Safe Packaging
and worldwide shipping

100% Satisfaction
90 Day Guarantee, Easy Returns

Easy Replacement Parts
if you ever need it