yeah these sets aren't made for 'playing' oldscribe ... they would have a detrimental effect on a game if you have to think about what a piece is lol ... more for looking and appreciating is all :)
28 coolest chess sets ever

Yeah, that's why those Star Wars or US Civil War sets look pretty, but they would be difficult to play a game with. You'd be too busy trying to remember if Han Solo was a bishop or knight, and which piece Stonewall Jackson was.
I submit my collection for consideration: http://www.tykroll.com/chess/
Here are some highlights:
Swiss? 19th century?
Paris, 20th century. "French Faience"
Germany, 19th century, Selenus Set, bone
England, 19th century, Barleycorn set, bone
Germany, 19th century, "Toy" Selenus set
England, 19th century, Vegetable ivory set
Charles O. Perry, 1967India, 19th century, Dehli, ivory
Poland, 20th century, Porcelain
Animalier, 20th century
Italy, 20th century
Germany?, 20th century, pewter
I made this set myself, resin/composite
Chessbot hero by Joseph Larson
Hi folks, while we're on the subject, I was wondering if anyone could help me find a particular chess set, of the type seen on the cover of "The Chess Players' Bible." Looks pre-Staunton, haven't been able to find one. Thanks.
That's a modern set from Poland. It's not pre-Staunton. You ought to be able to find one on eBay. I know someone already pointed you to a similar one, but you really ought to be able to find that *exact* set still if you look hard enough.... wait here's one: http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/home-d%C3%A9cor/home-accents/handcarved-polish-chess-set
a few more for your viewing pleasure (if anyone cares):
"Old Vienna" horn set, 20th century
England, 19th century
China? India? 19th century, soapstone.
England, 19th century, travel, ivory.
Mexico, 20th century, bone.
Limoges, France, 20th century, porcelain
Jaipur, India, silver enamel, 20th century
Islamic set, bone, India, 20th century.
Isle of Lewis, gypsum/composite
England, 19th century, bone.
also much of the Crumiller collection (mentioned earlier) is now on display here: http://worldchesshof.org/exhibitions/exhibit/prized-and-played/

Im more of a staunton man myself. I do like the idea of getting a massive outdoor chess set one day if the Mrs. will let me build the board on her vegetable patch......

These are awesome. If you've seen a unique chess set that's not in this article then please share here!
What a motley collection of awful sets!

Nah, I think a lot of these alternative and themed chess sets take things too far.
If I can't play a practical game over it (meaning I can't distinguish the pieces), then I'm not interested really. It would likely impact my game for the worse.
I like standard chess sets that have some subtle designs setting it apart from other chess sets. Reins on the Knights, Bishops that are flaired a bit differently, prominent Queens, etc. Usually the right color woods on both the board and pieces is one of the biggest variables that can make or break a set.
That being said, I don't like glass sets, metal, and certain types of stone. Some marble sets are okay. And other members have posted some nice stone sets, one of which was from Afghanistan.