On the outer shores of Scotland
lies the Isle of Lewis. In the early 1800’s this area; as well as many other
large areas of Scotland,
was ruled by Norway.
This could help explain the tales of how intricately carved pieces of walrus
ivory that formed 93 artistic chess playing pieces; now known as Lewis
chessmen, were created in Norway and found on the shores of the Isle of
Lewis. They were likely crafted in Norway
about AD 115-1200. It is a belief that the collection of pieces, which made
up 4 distinct sets, were lost or stolen during a voyage from Norway
to some wealthy Norsemen in Ireland.
All of the pieces are carving of people, with
the exception of the pawns. They are figured after gravestones. The Knights
are mounted on the horses with spears in hand ready for battle, not just the
horse as we typically see with many other styles of chess sets including the
tournament style Staunton Chess sets. Most of the figures had saddened or
‘glum’ expressions with the exception of the rooks that had an almost ‘crazed’
look in their eyes. Traces of red stain still present when the pieces were
found indicated that perhaps they used red and white to distinguish the two
sides rather than the typical black and white we see today.
While there are many tales of how the 93 pieces
ended up in the sandbanks of the Big Uig on the western side of the Isle of
Lewis - the current disputes are where these original 93 pieces are now on
display. During 1831 the 93 pieces were put on display by the Society
of Antiquaries of Scotland, and 10 pieces purchased privately by
Kirkpatrick Sharpe, who later uncovered an additional bishop bringing his
collection to 11 pieces. These were sold in 1888 and sold again putting them
back in the hands of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland who donated them
to the National Museum of Scotland. The other 82 pieces were purchased for
display the British
Museum
of London.
Many argue that the set should not be split up and specifically that the
majority of pieces should be by the Scottish museum not the English.
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Isle of
Lewis Chess Sets
A Chess set with an very interesting history
and a truly unique look. The Isle of Lewis Chess Set was originally believed
to be crafted in Norway
about AD 115-1200. These pieced ended
up on the shores of Scotland
after the ship carrying them was either robbed or succumbed to the rough seas
and washed up on the Scottish shore. These collectable pieces were said to
be on route to a rich Norseman living in Ireland.
Most of the figures are etched pieces
resembling human figures. The faces of each of the pieces are very sad and
somber with the exception of the rooks that seem to have a slightly ‘crazed’
look to them. The Pawns are the exceptions as they are small replicas of
tombstones. The sets are manufactured pieces of Dark and natural stained
boxwood figures on a Sheesham Maple board.
These pieces are very original and will
certainly make an interesting conversation piece as well as a welcome addition
to any Chess enthusiast’s collection. Consider this extremely distinctive
set as a gift for the chess player you know, or if you are a fan consider this
as an investment in some history of the game.