Chess is an ancient game of strategy and power. It is based on geometrical and mathematical purities, making it one of the most elegant games ever conceived. And yet, it is a contest, and as with any conflict, the battle rages back and forth as two opponents struggle for dominance. This combination of purity and dynamic tension, mixed with a rich and varied history, makes chess a wonderful metaphor for great design and a chess set a personal statement and powerful accessory for the home.
Thirty four of the world’s most famous chess pieces, all part of a hoard unearthed in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, off the west cost of Scotland, are currently on view at The Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe.
A Bit of History - Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces
The Isle of Lewis (pronounced Lews) is in the northernmost of the Outer Hebrides - a barren, windswept land of swamps, rocks and peat moss. The Island has a rich legacy of ghosts and Druid spirits.
In the Spring of 1831, the sea eroded a sandbank on the Island's West coast at the South shore of Uig Bay, uncovering a stone building formed somewhat like a baking oven. This curious structure caught the eye of a peasant, who proceeded to break in. He was astonished to see what he concluded to be an assemblage of Gnomes and Elves.
The original chess set from the Isle of Lewis has 78 pieces in all, carved in Morse ivory (Walrus tusk). These Romanesque visages are unique in the annals of Medieval Art. Nothing quite like them has been found before or since. There seem to be no counterparts for the very simply adorned, compact, expressive figures with their strong, forceful faces. Experts are unanimous in declaring them the most astonishing collection of ancient chessmen in existence. The British Museum now houses 67 of these. The remainder are in the Edinburgh National Museum.
This array of Medieval Monarchs and Advisors reflects the tastes and customs of those times more than any other known set of chessmen. The artists have omitted no essential detail in their regalia or other vestments. The most unusual feature of the set are the Rooks, which take the form of foot officers rather than towers - a common theme in early Icelandic chess sets, where they were called "Centurions." This suggests that the chessmen might have been carved in Iceland and carried to the Isle of Lewis.
On my trip to Iceland in September, I noticed a lot of stunning chess sets for sale. I wish I had bought one for my game table as I now understand the importance of chess in Nordic culture.
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