3 1/2" Red Isle of Lewis Crushed Stone Chess Pieces

Product Code: 2U-B02-RED
$229.95
3 1/2" Red Isle of Lewis Crushed Stone Chess Pieces
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3 1/2" Red Isle of Lewis Crushed Stone Chess Pieces

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Product Code: 2U-B02-RED
$229.95

We are currently sold out of '3 1/2" Red Isle of Lewis Crushed Stone Chess Pieces'.

  • Description

  • Sizing and Details

  • Testimonials

3 1/2" Red Isle of Lewis Crushed Stone Chess Pieces

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.

Sizing and Details:

King Height Queen Height Bishop Height Knight Height Rook Height Pawn Height Recommended Size
3 1/2" 3 1/4" 3 1/4" 3 3/8" 3" 1 3/8" 2 1/4" Squares
King Weight Queen Weight Bishop Weight Knight Weight Rook Weight Pawn Weight Chess Set Weight
4.1 oz 3.0 oz 3.6 oz 3.2 oz 2.0 oz 0.4 oz 4 lb 12 oz

This is a full set of 32 chess pieces. Made In England. Chess board not included.
  • King Height: 3 1/2"
  • King Weight: 4.1 oz
  • King Base: 1 7/8"
  • Recommended Square Size: 2" - 2 1/4"

Customer Testimonials

1
Ratings Snapshot
5.0
out of 5
5 (1)
4 (0)
3 (0)
2 (0)
1 (0)
Would recommend this product.
100%
5.0
out of 5
5 (1)
4 (0)
3 (0)
2 (0)
1 (0)
Would recommend this product.
100%
1 Total Reviews
history in the house!
5 out of 5
Eliot H.
Location: Delaware
Date: July 2, 2019
Bought these pieces with the sycamore/mahogany board and am very pleased. The pieces have a great feel to them and the detail is exceptional. This is the third chess set that I have acquired from ChessUSA and every transaction has been done with care and compete efficiency. In fact, their customer service was wonderful in helping me determine what pieces with what board. I cannot compliment them highly enough and would not shop elsewhere.
Recommended
1 Total Reviews