{"title":"Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"mini-isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-sac-antiqued","title":"Mini Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces - SAC Antiqued","description":"These chess pieces are scaled replicas of the originals which were discovered on the Isle of Lewis off the West Coast of Scotland and which are now housed safely and securely in the British Museum of London and in Edinburgh. Many pieces were discovered and this is our interpretation of the Isle of Lewis chess set. The Isle of Lewis chessmen were featured in the movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1831 the sea carried away a sandbank on the Isle of Lewis uncovering a mysterious building that had been buried under the sand. A peasant working nearby found what he concluded to be a collection of Elves and Gnomes. The superstitious highlander flung down his spade and fled home in horror. Superstition in Lewis had survived in a powerful form. Thus, when the peasant first looked at the group of singular little ivory figures it was natural that they should appear as the pigmy sprites of Celtic folklore. However, he was induced by his wife to return to the spot and take the figures home. He sold them to a local collector who realized they were chessmen. There were 78 pieces in all belonging to eight or more sets; 67 are now in the British Museum and the rest in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Experts are unanimous in regarding them as the most astonishing collection of ancient chessmen in existence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese chessmen are made out of Polyresin, which is a crushed stone composite. It has the look and feel of stone, but the durability of a plastic. It is truly the best of both worlds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing height: 2.3\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing base: 1 1\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes not come with board, just pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"68S","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32275584961,"sku":"SACA105","price":259.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1297\/3303\/products\/mini-isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-sac-antiqued-14615803723863.png?v=1601421290"},{"product_id":"the-isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-sac","title":"The Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces - SAC","description":"Isle of Lewis chessmen hold a mountain of lore and prestige. They hold a place in chess history like no other. To own an Isle of Lewis chess set is to own a piece of classic chess history - where modern chess and ancient chess crossed paths through a story rivaling the best.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModern day movies such as Harry Potter have taken the Isle of Lewis pieces to new levels of recognition. Isles of Lewis chess pieces are distinctly unique and recognized as they are from centuries old Celtic history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere's the story about the discovery of the Isle of Lewis chessmen: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eIn 1831 the sea carried away a sandbank on the Isle of Lewis uncovering a mysterious building that had been buried under the sand. A peasant working nearby found what he concluded to be a collection of Elves and Gnomes. The superstitious highlander flung down his spade and fled home in horror. Superstition in Lewis had survived in a powerful form. Thus, when the peasant first looked at the group of singular little ivory figures it was natural that they should appear as the pigmy sprites of Celtic folklore. However, he was induced by his wife to return to the spot and take the figures home. He sold them to a local collector who realized they were chess set pieces. There were 78 pieces in all, belonging to eight or more sets; 67 are now in the British Museum and the rest in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Experts are unanimous in regarding them as the most astonishing collection of ancient chess set pieces in existence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eToday you can own a high quality, nicely weighted, solid replica of the famed Isle of Lewis chessmen. It's a chess set that rings true in every collection as a solid piece of chess history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven non-chess players can appreciate this wonderful chess gift that is recognized around the world as a relic of chess lore. As modern chess styles have taken off, the Isle of Lewis still remains and always will remain a centerpiece of chess.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWeighted, solid chessmen are crafted with authentic colors and precision. This set is part of the Studio Anne Carlton series, coveted by collectors and decorators. While production is no longer European, we find the quality is impressive and meets our high expectations for a nicely packaged, gift-friendly chess set.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Lewis Chessmen are made out of Polyresin, which is a crushed stone composite. It has the look and feel of stone, but the durability of a plastic. It is truly the best of both worlds.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing height: 3 1\/2\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing base: 1 1\/2\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePieces only. Board not included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"68S","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32275721025,"sku":"SACA102","price":369.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1297\/3303\/products\/the-isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-sac-21184655297.jpg?v=1575932130"},{"product_id":"the-red-isle-of-lewis-antiqued-chessmen","title":"The Red Isle of Lewis Antiqued Chessmen","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese chess pieces are replicas of the originals which were discovered on the Isle of Lewis off the West Coast of Scotland and which are now housed safely and securely in the British Museum of London and in Edinburgh. Many pieces were discovered and this is an interpretation of the Isle of Lewis chess set. The Isle of Lewis chessmen were even featured in the movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1831 the sea carried away a sandbank on the Isle of Lewis uncovering a mysterious building that had been buried under the sand. A peasant working nearby found what he concluded to be a collection of Elves and Gnomes. The superstitious highlander flung down his spade and fled home in horror. Superstition in Lewis had survived in a powerful form. Thus, when the peasant first looked at the group of singular little ivory figures it was natural that they should appear as the pigmy sprites of Celtic folklore. However, he was induced by his wife to return to the spot and take the figures home. He sold them to a local collector who realized they were chessmen. There were 78 pieces in all belonging to eight or more sets; 67 are now in the British Museum and the rest in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Experts are unanimous in regarding them as the most astonishing collection of ancient chessmen in existence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese chessmen are made out of Polyresin, which is a crushed stone composite. It has the look and feel of stone, but the durability of a plastic. It is truly the best of both worlds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing height: 3.75\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing base: 1.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\"\u003eBOARD NOT INCLUDED\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"68S","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32275727297,"sku":"SACA102-R","price":369.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1297\/3303\/products\/the-red-isle-of-lewis-antiqued-chessmen-13730673164375.png?v=1584135044"},{"product_id":"isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-by-berkeley-in-russet-brown","title":"Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces by Berkeley - Russet Brown","description":"\u003cp\u003eBoard Not Included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe skilled craftsmen at Berkeley Chess have interpreted the iconic chess pieces to produce two magnificent chess sets which exemplify the majesty of the original sculptures. Both sets are manufactured ivory \u0026amp; brown, ivory \u0026amp; red and a unique pewter \u0026amp; copper finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing Height: 3.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing Base: 1 7\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing Weight: 4.1oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet Weight: 53.6oz (3lbs 5.6oz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e32 Pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade of a ratio of crushed marble and resin, and then finished with a felt underlay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoxed weight 4lbs 10oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice includes set of pieces (boards available separately)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"87B","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36962929409,"sku":"BC2001","price":179.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1297\/3303\/files\/isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-by-berkeley-russet-brown-30772068319319.jpg?v=1696984426"},{"product_id":"isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-by-berkeley-in-cardinal-red","title":"Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces by Berkeley - Cardinal Red","description":"\u003cp\u003eBoard Not Included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe skilled craftsmen at Berkeley Chess have interpreted the iconic chess pieces to produce two magnificent chess sets which exemplify the majesty of the original sculptures. Both sets are manufactured ivory \u0026amp; brown, ivory \u0026amp; red and a unique pewter \u0026amp; copper finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing Height: 3.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing Base: 1 7\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing Weight: 4.1oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet Weight: 53.6oz (3lbs 5.6oz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade of a ratio of crushed marble and resin, and then finished with a felt underlay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e32 Pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoxed weight 4lbs 10oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice includes set of pieces (boards available separately)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"87B","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36962929473,"sku":"BC3001","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1297\/3303\/files\/isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces-by-berkeley-cardinal-red-30772560265303.jpg?v=1696981193"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.chesshouse.live\/collections\/isle-of-lewis-chess-pieces.oembed","provider":"Chess House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}