House of Hauteville Chessmen - Antique White and Brown Marble Resin

I started playing chess more than 73 years ago … and I have been interested in chess sets for at least 70 years. They have always fascinated me.

I remember one set, from around 65 years ago, that was a very sleek “modern" set. It was, I had, I think, stainless steel pieces on one side and brass pieces on the other. At the time, I really really wanted that set. But not only was it way beyond my meager financial means, it was way beyond that of my parents as well (or of anyone we knew.) It was a dream that was simply unattainable.

I remember ornate oriental ivory chess sets, with elephants carrying castles on their backs.
I remember historical battle sets, like one I once owned, that recreated the Battle of Hastings.
I remember truly historical sets, with pieces that are replicas of chess sets from history, such as those that are replicas of the set from the 1100s that was found on the Isle of Lewis.
I remember literally tens, if not hundreds of “special” chess sets; some in glass, some in ivory, some in alabaster, some in wood, and many in metal.

And yet, of all the chess sets I have known and been very interested in, there was always a drawback, a problem. Sometimes the problem was minor. Sometimes it was major. For example, the set of my very first fascination, the steel and brass one. That was very beautiful and artistic with super clean lines, but distinguishing one piece from another piece was not always easy. It would be very difficult for someone who was not intimately acquainted with that set to play a reasonable game.

Then again, the historical battle sets always pit one side from history against another side from history. Do I really want to be the Normans in the Battle of Hastings? Wouldn’t I really rather be the Saxons? (And by the way, the Battle of Hastings set had an historical error to it. Even though it was the Normans who historically attacked first in the Battle of Hastings, that set had the Saxons as being “white”. Yes, I know, it should not have bothered me, but it did.) Or again, would I rather be a Roman or a Barbarian, a Crusader or a Saracen, a Russian or Tarter? a Yankee or a Rebel? … No, beautiful and interesting as they are, there are always problems with realistic historical battle chess sets.

Of course, some sets are too small and/or too light (the one that had been set up in my living room previously, is a beautiful classic set from Poland, but the pieces are far too light … Chess pieces need a certain heft to them.) Others are far too theme-based.

But this new set meets all of my criteria. It is large and the pieces are hefty. It is easy to distinguish which piece is which, even if one has never seen the set before. Each of the pieces has “character”, and yet they do not represent nor reproduce any real historical characters. Neither do these pieces glorify war. They are all suitably serious and even worried. In that, they are all very human. And to top it all off, the set is aesthetically beautiful. In short, and I know that it is far too early to tell, without having played a few games with it, but of all of the chess sets I have ever known, this one is, for me, the most perfect. It has far exceeded my expectations. And I am super happy with it. It is, I hope, my last and legacy chess set. This is the set that is “me”. It is the one I have always wanted for 70 years (but did not know existed).

These are beautifully sculpted faithful reproductions of the famous "Charlemagne Set" with a few changes. I was surprised a the speed of delivery as they travelled from the US to Western Australia in little over a week. I look forward to seeing reproductions of the original King and Queen as well as the elephants and chariots to add on.

The main issue l have with the set is that the antique white pieces are darker than pictured and look "dirty" rather than antique. I've attached pictures of some of the "white" pieces. The set was shipped with pieces individually wrapped in paper instead of inserted in foam protection. One of the brown pawns has a tiny chip on the base. The bottoms are felted with one large dot rather than at the four corners, but the pieces don't wobble so that's fine. I still like the overall design. The pieces are readily distinguishable from one another, so it is good for play.

These pieces are beautifully rendered, with just enough detail to give character. They make the board come alive!

this set does not disappoint. it is in every way as substantial in person as it is in picture. the size and weight of this set is as balanced as the design and detail built into each piece. we especially enjoyed the purpose designed into the expressions of each character. we had a minor shipping issue (damaged piece) and service was swift and responsive with a replacement at our door in days.