Lewis chessmen

The drawing shows a buckle, and several pawns from the set of Lewis chessmen.

The Lewis Chessmen in the British Museum were probably made in Norway, about AD 1150-1200 Found on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland The chess pieces consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales' teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks.

Isle of Lewis Chessmen Games / Norwegian, 3rd quarter of the 12th century, Walrus ivory, max. height 10.2cm. From the 78–piece group of the “Isle of Lewis Chessmen”, found 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, outer Hebrides, Scotland. London, British Museum.

The Lewis chessmen or Uig chessmen, named after the island or the bay where they were found, are a group of distinctive 12th-century chess pieces, along with other game pieces, most of which are carved from walrus ivory. Discovered in 1831 on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland,they may constitute some of the few complete, surviving medieval chess sets, although it is not clear if a set as originally made can be assembled from the pieces. When found, the hoard contained 93 artifacts: 78…

In 1831, in Edinburgh, Scotland, a collection of chessmen found on the Isle of Lewis was displayed for the first time. These 12th century handcrafted pieces made from walrus tusks and whale teeth have since become iconic examples of our lasting love for wargames. Their origins, however, is one of theory and controversy. Here is an illustrated article on the world's most famous chess set.

Lewis chessmen, back of bishop

The drawing shows twelve ornamented areas from various pieces from the set of Lewis chessmen. They areas illustrated are all squarish, and decorated with scrolls, acanthus, arcading, and animal ornament.

The Isle of Lewis Chessmen are a fabulous gift idea. Full of historical significance,these faithful reproductions of the originals come direct from the British Museum in London. A very special gift.

The drawing shows front and back views of a king and a queen from the set of Lewis chessmen. The king holds a sword across his knees, the queen holds a drinking horn.