Game pieces of the Lewis chessmen hoard information
79 chessmen found in Scotland
Lewis chessmen
Lewis chessmen in National Museums Scotland Three bishops (H.NS 24, 25 & 26)
Material
Walrus ivory and whale tooth
Created
12th century
Discovered
1831 or earlier Mealista, Isle of Lewis 58°06′14″N7°06′29″W / 58.104°N 7.108°W / 58.104; -7.108
Present location
British Museum
National Museums Scotland
The game pieces of the Lewis chessmen hoard consist of ninety-three game pieces of the Lewis chessmen found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Medieval in origin, they were first exhibited in Edinburgh in 1831 but it is unclear how much earlier they had been discovered. The hoard comprised seventy-eight distinctive chess pieces and fifteen other non-chess pieces, nearly all carved from walrus tusk ivory, and they are now displayed at the British Museum in London and National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh. Another chess piece, which turned up in 1964 and in 2019 was attributed to have come from the original hoard, now belongs to a private collector.
The style of carving, particularly that on the thrones of the seated figures, suggests they are Scandinavian in origin, most likely from Trondheim, the medieval capital of Norway until 1217.
The types of piece are similar to those in modern chess – the chessmen are the earliest found that have figures in clerical dress (bishops). The rooks are represented as warriors which came to be called "warders" at an early stage after they were discovered. Four of the warders are shown biting their shields – these have been identified as the berserkers of the Norse sagas. Christian and pagan influences are both present in the designs.
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