Isle of Lewis Chess Set

The chessmen were discovered in early 1831 in a sand bank at the head of the Bay of Uig on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. There are various local stories concerning their arrival on Lewis and modern discovery. One unverifiable tale suggests[citation needed] that in the 16th century (long after the period of Norse influence in the Hebrides) a cabin boy stole the pieces from a ship whilst it was anchored in Loch Resort. However, he was then murdered by a local cowherd, who buried the pieces at Uig. The cowherd was later hanged for other crimes but is said to have confessed to this act before he died.

Our chess set is made with a heavy resin to simulate the original material (walrus ivory) used. Each is full sized with a non slip base. King is 3 1/2 " tall. This set are the chess pieces only.