Chess set, Isle of Lewis replica

Resincast, handcrafted, ivory finish King 90mm high, base 38 x 35mm, weight 124g Felted base Scottish origin $185 each (board not included - suits board with 55mm squares) Historical note: Replica set from 78 pieces (14 incomplete sets) carved from walrus ivory discovered on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, in 1831. Although not carbon-dated, the pieces are in 10th century Icelandic style and are believed to be of 12th century Viking origin - the oldest chess pieces in existence. They are now displayed at the British Museum and Edinburgh Museum of Antiquities.

Artisan's notes: These chess pieces are all resincast from superior quality polyester resin to which crushed stone powder is added to increase the weight of the pieces. In over twenty-five years of making chess sets and having tried every conceivable type of material, I consider this combination to provide the best weight and ‘feel’ for chess pieces. This material combination results in a piece which ‘feels’ like ivory. The human brain estimates weight from what it sees in the way of size and shape and this material combination provides the correct weight for this estimation. Many casting powders ‘feel’ too light and cement powders far too heavy. The material is extremely durable, far more so than any sort of moulding powder and water combination, whatever the ‘Trade’ or otherwise name of the material. The set is pigmented (NOT painted) Ivory and Black, which is unusual as Black pigmented resin is difficult to cast and is avoided by most makers. The Ivory pieces are stained to give an ‘antique’ effect which ‘highlights’ the detail of the individual pieces. Over many years, such sets will attain a patination akin to natural ivory. No paint, varnish or any other sealing medium is used as the polyester resin / crushed stone powder / pigment combination does not require such sealing, unlike casting powder or cement powder / water combinations which, if not sealed will ‘rub’ mark anything they touch, in a similar manner to a piece of chalk. All pieces are felt covered on the base. The set is made in Dunfermline, the ancient capital of Scotland, and comes complete with all paperwork, including Scottish Handcrafted logos and Certificate of Authentication.