BACKSTORY
In 1831, an intriguing collection of 12th-century miniature chessmen carved from walrus ivory was uncovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Dubbed the Lewis chessmen hoard, these ancient artefacts have become inspiration for the Lewis Chess Set, the latest addition to Royal Selangor’s British Museum Collection. Masterfully recreated in pewter, these replicas of the original chessmen range from composed royals and serene clerics to fierce warriors – indeed, the king, queen, bishop, knight and rook are all dramatically expressive. Pawns, on the other hand, are represented by upright slabs that are etched with complex scrollwork. All the pieces are set on a Nyatoh chessboard scorched with a Celtic-inspired knot motif from the king’s throne. The chessmen’s unique embellishments and zoomorphic motifs have been further interpreted into a homeware collection that includes a bottle stopper, tankard and drinking horn, as well as salt and pepper shakers that promise to be a classy conversation piece on any table setting.