Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces

In 1831 the sea carried away a sandbank on the Isle of Lewis uncovering a mysterious building that had been buried under the sand.

A peasant working nearby found what he concluded to be a collection of Elves and Gnomes. The superstitious highlander flung down his spade and fled home in horror.

Superstition in Lewis had survived in a powerful form. Thus, when the peasant first looked at the group of singular little ivory figures it was natural that they should appear as the pigmy sprites of Celtic folklore. However, he was induced by his wife to return to the spot and take the figures home. He sold them to a local collector who realised they were chessmen.

There were 78 pieces in all belonging to eight or more sets; 67 are now in the British Museum and the rest in the National Museum, Edinburgh. Experts are unanimous in regarding them as “the most astonishing collection of ancient chessmen in existence”.

Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces Specifications Manufacturer Studio Anne Carlton (SAC) King Height 3.75 Inches (95mm)
Mini Set 2.75 Inches (57mm) Chess Board Optional Delivery Time 1 to 5 Days Enlarge Main Image

These details about Isle of Lewis Chess Pieces, which is one of 10 SAC products in Ishop Market Place, were supplied (along with details of 246 other products from Farscape Games) on 03-Dec-2008.