Chess set bone K.P. Uhlig

Staunton chess sets made of bone seem to attract less people than the wooden ones.  I get it, wood is a wonderful material and get a patina which can be very nice.  But bone sets are also attractive.  I have many sets similar to the one depicted here. There were probably made by P. K. Uhlig (or someone else which followed Uhlig's style)


between 1900 and 1930. The knights are very beautiful.  The bones are polished in a way that they resemble ivory.  Although I am reducing my chess collection,  I would probably purchase a similar but large set. In the depicted set the king is ca 6.8 cm.

I also like ivory chess sets. There was this great ivory chess maker in England that I visited many years ago. I was incredible how he made these breath-taking chessmen from ivory tusk. I was so impressed that I bought two of his ivory sets the same day and ordered three more which he managed to make just months before his death. His work quality was as such that I dare say that his chess sets were as good as Jaques, of course, I have slight preference for my ivory jaques specially the upright ones. I like the feel of the ivory and their sweet sound on their leather chessboards. Some rare bone chess sets are also very nice several years ago I bought some from indian chess makers. They are made from camel bone and seem better than normal cow bone. Camel bone does not discolour like cow bone (none of my 8 camel chess bone sets have discoloured so far after several years). Unfortunately, Indian chess makers have stopped producing 4” king and over camel bone sets, it could be because of high cost or other unknown reason.

Thanks for sharing this! Perhaps you can show us a picture from this ivory chess set made in England?

I wish I could. Before I did put some of rare chess sets on public display online including a super rare 4” plus british chess company set but after a while the Indian chess makers downloaded the images and used them for copying my valuable chess sets which was like a violation of copyright. Since then I have stopped putting my rare chess sets online. The english craftsman was the last line of Jaques of London artisans who sadly passed away several years ago. I have five of his ivory sets. He lived in the countryside and his workshop was next to his house. He worked alone. I also possess some Richard Whitty’s ivory sets which have some similaries but of course also older. The ivory Jaques sets are still superior in comparison when I put them side by side. Ivory products are now banned and indian chess makers use camel bone of which I have some staunton ones.

Keep taking your Meds Kevin & count your many invisible chess sets , Are you still selling 2nd rate chess sets on e bay ?