Lewis Chessmen
by Ancient Japanese (Unknown), 1150
Artwork Details
Details
- Year
- 1150
- Medium
- Walrus ivory, whale tooth
- Size
- Largest pieces 10.2 cm (4 in) tall
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Japanese The Lewis Chessmen are 93 gaming pieces carved from walrus ivory and whale tooth around 1150-1200 CE. Discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, they're the most famous medieval chess pieces in the world. The pieces include kings, queens, bishops, knights, warders (rooks), and pawns.
Each figure has distinct personality. Kings sit contemplatively. Queens rest their faces on their hands, looking worried. Warders bite their shields in berserker fury. The pieces were probably made in Trondheim, Norway, when the Hebrides belonged to the Norwegian crown. They may have been a merchant's stock, hidden or lost during travel. The British Museum holds 82 pieces while the National Museum of Scotland has 11.
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About Lewis Chessmen
The chessmen were discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Exactly where and how they were found remains disputed. They may have been buried in a sand dune.
The pieces were likely carved in Trondheim, Norway around 1150-1200 CE. At that time, the Hebrides were part of the Kingdom of Norway, explaining why Norwegian-style pieces ended up in Scotland.
The queens rest their cheeks on their hands, a medieval gesture of distress or contemplation. Some suggest they're concerned about the battle ahead. Others see it as simple aristocratic elegance.
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