"chess set", "chess sets", "chess pieces", "chess museum", "schaak"
 

“Nuremberg”  (Germany)

"Nuremberg", and Augsburg as well, were in the 19th century centers for toy makers. They made also chess sets. In Nuremberg pattern sheets from the mid-19th century you see this type of chess sets. Also Selenus type, including the narrow Spindle ones, and the "Toy" sets are found in those pattern sheets. The sets are commonly considered as a (sub)type of "Barleycorn", because of the clear relation and very similar overall form. See "Barleycorn" (England) page.

Pieces of Nuremberg sets are very fragile, like the "Selenus" sets, and easily damaged, especially the bone ones. The sets are very common, except for some variations and large sizes, but complete and undamaged sets are scarce. You will notice that some sets listed here are rather damaged.

Here you see 3 groups: 7 bone sets in different, less common, variations, 7 common wooden sets and 5 common bone sets. Note that in spite of the numbers here that common wooden sets are less common than common bone sets. These sets often make part of a compendium, such as the 2 last ones, or are accompanied by a roll-board that together with the pieces fit in a coffin. I do not have a "Nuremberg" set with board in a coffin, but I have such combination with a "Selenus" set.

Germany. Group of 7 bone sets in less common Nuremberg variations. Sometimes the sets are confused with English Barleycorn sets. Some Nuremberg sets are decorated with leaves (none listed on the site) and easily confused, unless the set has faces. The 2nd set, the one with open worked barrels, has better knights as average and is also a bit large for this type. The 3rd set in this group is exceptional large for the type. The flags are exceptional as well. The 4th set, unfortunately, misses a white Knight and Rook. The 5th to 7th set in this group, where King/Queen have no lower stem, is also a less common variation of which some say that it is Dutch. That's also said of the type of Knights on those sets, but I think it is just a later production. Maybe 20th century. The 7th set is exceptionally large and has flags which is very uncommon for this specific type of "Nuremberg" sets as well. The felts it has are most likely added at a later time. It was dated 1920, but I think the set is earlier. Could be late 19th century.

Note that pictures of 6th set are very yellow-->I have to redo those.

« of 3 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid 19th century
  • Bone K 10.9; p 3.7
« of 4 »
  • Germany, "open Nuremberg"
  • Mid 19th century
  • Bone K 11.3; p 3.9
  • Box/board 31.2×15.6×5.7
  • The knights in this set are better than average
« of 3 »
  • Germany, "large Nuremberg"
  • Mid 19th century
  • Bone K 12.6; p 4.1
« of 3 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid 19th century
  • Bone K 9.6; p 3.2
« of 3 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid to late 19th century
  • Bone K 9.3; p 3.5
« of 5 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid to late 19th century
  • Bone K 8.2; p 3.3
« of 5 »
  • Germany, "large Nuremberg"
  • ca. 1920?
  • Bone K 12.4; p 4.5
  • Box 23.3x14.8x10.8

Germany. 7 common wooden Nuremberg sets. These wooden sets are not confused with English Barleycorn sets, because the latter hardly exist in wood. The first wooden set is extremely rare, because of the size and the box that was said being original. That box has not a side-way sliding lid as (smaller) Nuremberg sets have, but maybe such box is not suitable for such very large set. I bought this very large set on an auction and the set was listed in the catalogue as made from arbutus wood, but I do doubt that strongly. I believe these wooden sets were made of Maple and Cocobolo, but I am not 100% sure of these woods.

The second wooden set, although smaller, is rare as well because of its size. It is a very pretty size to play with. This set has its original, side-way sliding, box.

The wooden set with the black pieces is odd. I found it intriguing, as these sets are never black. Most likely this set has been painted over some day. Not sure when that's done. The set has still its original, side-way sliding, box.

« of 8 »
  • Germany, "large Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Maple? + cocobolo? K 12.4; p 4.5
  • Original? box 21.6×12.6×7.4
« of 6 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Maple? + cocobolo? K 10.0; p 3.5
  • Box 14.8×11.3×7.5
« of 5 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Wood K 8.5; p 3.1
« of 5 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Maple? + cocobolo? K 7.7; p3.0
  • Box/board 26.4×13.1×5.7
« of 6 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Maple? K 7.1; p 2.6
  • Box 13.1×9.9×7.4
« of 2 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Maple? + cocobolo? K 7.0; p 2.2
« of 3 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • 2nd half 19th century
  • Maple? + cocobolo? K 5.8; p 2.4

Germany. 5 common bone Nuremberg sets. Especially the sets in this last group are often confused with the English Barleycorn sets. That mistake is very persistent and enters even the best books on chess sets. Another example of the type of sets listed here is found at the 19th century (Netherlands) page.

Unfortunately the 3rd set misses a white rook.

The sets 4 and 5 are compendiums. The last one was dated 1930. That could have been based on the Bakelite? discs in it, but I think those were not original. In that case they would have made a better fix in the box. Actually I think the set is much earlier. Could be late 19th century.

« of 3 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid 19th century
  • Bone K 7.1+7.4; p 2.6
  • Box 11.8×8.3×6.5
  • Board 31.3×30.3
« of 4 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid 19th century
  • Bone K 9.5; p 4.4
« of 6 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg"
  • Mid to late 19th century
  • Bone K 8.3; p 2.7
« of 9 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg" compendium
  • Mid to late 19th century
  • Bone K 7.6; p 2.7
  • Box with heraldic decoration 27.7×17.6×11.5
  • Board 24.5×24.5
« of 4 »
  • Germany, "Nuremberg" compendium
  • ca. 1930?
  • Bone K 8.1; p 2.7
  • Box 28.8×21.9×14.0
  • Board 26.0×25.3
  • Bakelite? discs Ø 2.8; h 0.4li>
  • Bone/ebony dominoes 4.1×2.0×1.0