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

medieval ~ replicas  (Netherlands)

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.

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  • 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.

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