House of Hauteville Chessmen - Antique White and Brown Marble Resin

I have been so excited about receiving these pieces as they are truly a unique and fun set to spotlight in the home.

The real issue for me is that these are not the same colors or finish as the photos on the website. The quality of detail is more muddled and the accent color is not cleanly applied or wiped off after applying. And worse, the white are not white ann antique white marble color from the photos, They are more a sort of a grayish washed out look with no polish.

So it’s a muddy gray vs a muddy brown. (I’m posting a pic of the ‘white’ queen on a stone the color of the pieces from the website photos so you can see the difference in color and lack of polish)

The bases of course have some issues as other reviews stated due to the felt shape being circular and causing them to wobble. All that being said, they’re still a very cool design and they are huge and heavy and feel wonderful in the hands.

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).

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.

To say that Bishop is not strongly influenced by the Isle of Lewis Bishops is just plain dishonest. Not an "original imagining."

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.

I’ve been asked to give a review of a chess set I ordered two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I cannot give a review because it has not yet arrived

Not happy with this chess set.
The felt bottoms were put on off centered on many pieces.
The White Queen leans towards her left, Is that the way She is supposed too lean.
Like the design. Check the way the felt pads are applied.
Square ones would balance the pieces better. Could I replace the ones that were applied? Get back to me on this......Please
Bob Jack

Classy and well constructed chess pieces

Great quality. They look very cool on my board. Fast service from the company.

Beautiful chess pieces! Love the detail,texture,and weight of the pieces!! Gives the game an ancient feeling,nostalgic play!! The only problem I have with the pieces is that the Chess House inspection people screwed up and gave me two of the same brown knights!!! They were supposed to be two different looking knights. Just disappointed for the money i spent ($310). Now when i set up to play i have to look at the white knights and see the difference between them but when you look at the brown knights you can't help but see the difference!!! Don't trust sending the pieces back just in case they get lost or misplaced!! For the money i wish they had paid closer attention to what pieces they were packaging!!! That's my only complaint. The pieces are awesomely manufactured!!! If someone from Chess House reads this maybe someone can fix my issue with the same brown knights i was sent!!? Thank you for your time and possible help??!

Great Product/even better Folks behind the scenes!!

The craftsmanship is outstanding. The pieces are large, heavy and well made. The faces are perfectly medieval in their rendering. I could not be happier.