Netherlands

Netherlands. There is very little, if anything at all, known of Dutch chess set makers in the 18th century. The sets below are examples of the so called "Dutch" chess set, made from the 18th till early 19th century. It is believed that they were made in the Netherlands (or Flemings), but there is no actual proof. The last set from this series could very well be from Erbach in Germany, made early 19th century. Similar design, but with figural Kings en Queens, is known as well.

The 2 sets at right are a recent (September 2024) acquisition. Both sets have their original box and there is a periodical chess board with one side with 64 fields and the other with 100 fields. Such boards are known as Dutch as well.

The 1st set is very interesting because it has pieces for chess and disks for International draughts. There are 2x21 checkers, so there is 1 spare on each side. The lockable box and the board were always together in the family. Set, box and board are in pristine condition. White bishop's top maybe replaced.

The 2nd set and box, unfortunately, are rather damaged. Next to some chips, are black King, white Queen and 4 pawns broken. Most bits of pieces are present, except for a pawn finial and some minor chips. See picture of all damaged pieces. But it is a nice set in a less common bone and wood combination. Not sure it is ebony. The finials on the rooks are unusual too.

The sets below are all without boxes or boards. The 2nd wooden one is a real beauty with wonderful Knights and is one one of my favourites.

Netherlands. We don't know much of Dutch chess set makers in the 19th century either. In the description below you find a set which had been sold in Groningen, ca. 1850, but probably had been made in Germany (Nuremberg or Augsburg). Same is true for the Nuremberg set I got from my neighbour. Sets of those types are found regularly in the Netherlands, which can not be said of the first set listed here.

This set is sometimes called a "Pedestal" set. The date 1832 and origin Netherlands has been addressed to those sets. However I'm not sure. Looking at the knights, it seems of later date and we see these knights also on German sets. I think it is a very attractive set. Quite rare as well. It is one of my favourites.

• Netherlands
• 1832
• Bone K 7.0; p 3.1

Netherlands. This set has been sold in the Netherlands by A.Kampen. Abel Kampen (1836-1871) did most likely start the shop “GALANTERIEN&KINDERSPEELGOED A.KAMPEN Heerenstraat Groningen”. He was married in 1864 with Jantje Johanna de Young (1840-?), who in 1875 married with his half brother Marcus (1845-1917). Marcus had taken the shop as well and ran it until about 1895 on the Heerenstraat. I got this history from the grand-?-grandson of Marcus. Of course A.Kampen was a retailer and I assume that the set was actually made in Germany (Nuremberg). According Strouhal a “Selenus” type, but "Nuremberg" is used too, because the type appears on a Nuremberg pattern sheet of 1840/1850. This type is, in the English world, sometimes called "Spindle" set. More of these sets can be found on the “Selenus” (Germany) page.

Netherlands. This "Nuremberg" set is a gift of my neighbour. The set was in his family for a long time. These sets were in use, and probably also sold, in the Netherlands, but most likely they were made in Germany, Nuremberg. My father in law did have a similar set, which was also a long time in the family. More of these sets can be found on the “Nuremberg” (Germany) page.

• Netherlands or Germany, "Nuremberg"
• Mid to late 19th century
• Bone K 7.3; p 2.5

Netherlands. This "medieval" replica by Hans Rooijers has pieces formed exactly as pieces in use in Europe from the 9th to 12th century. Original pieces are made of frit, rock crystal, bone or some kind of ivory (like walrus). The use of pumice stone is remarkable and I don't know another chess set made with that material. Also the size is much bigger than originals.

• Netherlands, by Hans Rooijers
• 1974
• Pumice stone K 9.9; p 6.9

Netherlands. This "Leeuwarder Koning" is a replica of the king found in Leeuwarden in 1938. Only 12 replicas have been made and all were used at the drawing of lots for the 1976 Dutch Chess Championship in Leeuwarden. Originally the found piece was dated ca. 1250. However, investigations established that they date from the 10th or 11th century and were abandoned in Friesland by the Norsemen. The Norwegian origin is evident from the style of carving and material, moose antlers, used. Together with a queen found earlier, belongs it to the oldest pieces found in the Netherlands so far. Both are in the Frisian Museum in Leeuwarden.

• Netherlands, replica of oldest piece
  (at time it was found in 1938)
  
• 1976
• Resin K 5.6

Netherlands. This "firecracker" set by Jelle Saris was made for my friend Jules Welling. Sadly my friend passed away.

• Netherlands, by Jelle Saris
• 2004
• Firecrackers 6.1 Ø 1.2 with symbols attached
• Cassette/board 26.2×26.2×7.1

Netherlands. Sets with "glasses" to drink from are a nice gesture for a mad evening. Fill it with some alcoholic and drink every taken piece. Wonder if people do it that way? I didn't. Actually. I'm not sure the set is from Netherlands, but I got it from a colleague.

• Netherlands
• 2004
• Drinking glasses H 4.6; Ø 3.1-3.7 with symbols
• Board 35.0×35.0
• Includes 12 discs to play checkers

Netherlands. This small "Chess and draughts" set was a gift of a member of my chess club. He had bought it in the Netherlands in 1948. Recently I bought a travel set of unknown origin with exact the same pieces. See my Unknown-travel (Othereurope) page. Jaques did sell travel chess sets in a leather case with exactly the same pieces. The pieces must have been made by the same manufacturer, but unclear is who that is.

• Netherlands, chess and draughts (10x10)
• 1948
• Plastic pieces 1.4 (2.0 with pin); checkerdisk 0.8 (1.3 with pin) and Ø 1.0
• Box/board 16.6×16.6×2.8 (closed)

Netherlands. This can with chess motives containing a little travel set was a gift.

• Netherlands, by HEMA
• 2021
• Wood K 3.8; p 1.9
• Board cardboard 18.3×18.3
• Can 19.8×12.4×4.1
• Pieces based on "Staunton"

Netherlands. Throughout my life as collector I got a  bunch of travel chess sets. Here you see a number of them. All are cheap plastic sets, except for the last, which is a small multiple games set in wood. Of the 2nd I do have a set from Austria as well. See Travel (Austria) page.