I have a cherished set of chessmen, housed in a beautifully carved Indian box, that holds a unique story. The box, purchased from a charity shop in Clitheroe for a mere £4, is adorned with intricate bird and foliage designs. The chessmen themselves, miniature replicas of the famous Lewis chessmen, I acquired for £5 at a local car boot sale about a decade ago.
The Lewis chessmen, discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, are a remarkable archaeological find. Crofter Malcolm Macleod stumbled upon a stone box containing 92 pieces, including 77 chessmen, 14 game pieces, and a carved buckle. Carved from walrus ivory or whale teeth, these chessmen are believed to date back to the 12th century and were likely crafted in Norway during the time of its rule over the Outer Hebrides.
While my miniature set shares similarities with the original Lewis chessmen in terms of the figures, there are notable differences. My set features rooks as towers, whereas the originals have warders or warriors. Additionally, the pawns in my set are miniature versions of the warders, unlike the small, geometric obelisks found in the original set.
Today, the Lewis chessmen are divided between the British Museum in London and the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. These historical artifacts are well worth seeing for anyone interested in chess, history, or Viking culture.
As for my own chess set, I have latex molds for a larger version that I hope to cast someday. Until then, I continue to enjoy playing with my miniature set and marveling at its rich history.
