Fleur-de-lys - New York - circa 2000

I now draw on my American friends - please shed some light on these pieces, if possible. This is not antique rather a vintage chess set of around 20 years of age. I believe it was purchase in New York around 2002 … ish.

I will send more pics in due course but now - a quick few. I love the fleur-de-lys finial on the king and the queen has a subtle crown too.

The dark wood pieces are ebony with brown grain visible. Quite beautiful. The board is vintage, handmade, solid wood - no veneer and wonderful.

It appears similar to be the current HoS ‘Royale’ design but…. there are some subtle differences - my bases are flat, not angular and the current version is not offered in ebony. 

Here’s a few photos - more to follow. 

I would love more info if anyone has some. 👍
In my opinion, the board and the pieces are first class.

Here’s some more shots in the dawn light. First a bit more background - when I first saw this set it piqued my interest …I had a hunch that the pieces were ebony but it was not listed with any description. The board seemed rather unique. The photos were not great but I noted the interesting finial. In the end, I offered a price in my usual range and it was accepted… the board is a gem… with a clean and a lick of oil, it will be magnificent- old, beaten through years of play and solid as a rock. It’s clearly not a high volume production board - home made in someone’s workshop at some time in the past. I think it’s older than the pieces but who knows?

The pieces - if I was to guess - are probably commission by a US-based retailer out of India some 20 years ago. It’s the first set that I’ve owned where the ebony has visible grain - quite beautiful. I am not a massive fan of the deep gauges in the knights jaw, it’s not very subtle - but some of the other details, like the teeth, are nice. A keeper of a set for me.

And finally in bright natural light and a crack in the queen.

Being from New York originally, I wish I can shed some light,but nope.....Sorry Powder.

I will say,it's super fine! You scored once again. Nice track record you've got going there.

It seems to be a nice cut above what comes out of so many Indian sets today.If you're a bit concerned about the crack(all wood wants to crack,acording to the Martin Guitar expert restorer,John Arnold) you can always get some soft wax,to rub into the crack,from Konig Industries(Konig Tools Soft Wax).

They have a zillion different color/sticks and just rub it into the affected area. Good luck.

Totally cool looking set

The pieces are so fancy/gimmicky they could use a modern board, like a multicolored board.

The board you got here is a killer, amazing

I have a set of these pieces, as you noted, they are known as the Royale Series (at least that's the name HoS gives them). I got them in either the late 90s or early 2000s.

The current HoS version looks a little different from yours and mine, but that's probably due to different carvers. Or, maybe there is an original version that HoS copied and called Royale. Inquiring minds...

https://www.houseofstaunton.com/chess-pieces/wood-chess-pieces/the-royale-series-chess-pieces-4-0-king.html

I love the grain in your set! They look great.

Hope this helps!

Looks amazing. The board is too small for this set imo. A slightly bigger board would go well with these pieces.

I have the impression of having already seen the sign which is inscribed on the belly of the knight.

Just in case, the box that contained this set was marked "Singharts" "Fine Chess Set" "Handcrafted in India", like on the second photo that you will find on whorthpoint.com

Thanks all - this is really helpful. I can’t help but think that the Fleur-de-lys logo and the interesting finial on the queen is something more than an idea spawned from a carver … I feel a collector somewhere made a cognisant decision to commission the design of such pieces and that the current HoS version is a variant thereof. I checked with Frank Camaratta - hoping maybe he had some insight but alas no. 

It’s not a big deal - the board and the pieces were circa €40… the board alone is a wonder (and yes, too small for this set) and the pieces could not be purchased new for 5 times that …but I’m not in it for the $’s I just a like the idea of hard to find set in my collection and I really like it’s design. 

@Walterbeinsur, it’s quite interesting that you note the marking on the chest of the knight - I have never thought that this could be a manufacturer’s insignia … perhaps it’s not but cool if it is!

Sheesh! Only Powderdigit is capable of coming up with these kinds of gems,for the price of a bagel and cream cheese in New York City,circa 2023. I know of what I speak.

Hey Magic, thanks but there’s no magic in my collection. I’m just harbouring stray dogs - lovely for me and my family but of no provenance and pedigree and thus, much cheaper. Truly - most sets sit unwanted for weeks and then I make an offer to the shop owner or whoever it happens to be selling … and then keep my fingers crossed that I’m not buying total rubbish.
That said, accept on rare occasions, I only buy local so I can inspect or if I trust the seller like Holger in Germany or a couple other really fine people I’ve met. I’ve said many times - I am not buying to invest - I simply like the hunt and the hobby and meeting some truly great and friendly people. In the process, I build my knowledge and am compiling an eclectic collection. When I end up with similar sets - I often sell one to friends at what it cost me (for example - the French Regence - now I have an older set I’ll sell the reproduction) or sometimes online at a fair price. It’s all fun and I’m lucky to be able to afford $40-50 here and there and perhaps sell the odd set to fund the next purchase. If I was wealthier I may buy some wonderful Jaques or other historical sets but alas, that’s a field for others to play in and I am happy to sit in the sidelines and admire the truly great collections. If one day I get to travel again, I hope to enjoy seeing some collections in the flesh and buy some good people a beer or wine for the privilege.👍

I totally understand the psychology you're employing with your collecting Powder.However,you are accumulating a "very nice" collection of sets.Over time,you'll sit back and realize you have done a great job at reasonable prices....Nobody's going to disagree.

Here ‘tis on a slightly larger board.👍It’s also worth noting that the plot thickens - there is some emerging evidence that the pieces may be made earlier. The seller noted that he’s not sure they were new when given to him by his dad … and so, perhaps the board and pieces are closer in age - again nothing antique but maybe more like 40 years old than 20?!

After watching a documentary on SpaceX I sit in semi-darkness amazed at our wondrous world and … musing how a French inspired King’s finial and a domed Queen’s crown … came to being part of one chess set …. Solving the big issues!

🥴🤦‍♂️😉😊

I enjoy this set. There’s something about the way the wood has aged; the colour is markedly different to a new chess set. I wouldn’t say that the knights are my favourite but I like them. I am not a massive fan of deep gouges on the jowles of knights - I know some classic knights have exactly that - but to me it feels a bit too blunt a design; lacking finesse. However, these are better than some … and weirdly, I like that I can see the tool marks on the body gouges … these were made with care but not perfect. Still, it’s a lovely set … and the colour of that bishop is another plus! Apologies for my tracky dacks in the background - it was the best way to capture the most accurate colour of the pieces.

I purchased a similar set, used, from an antique store in MA. Same design. It sat on the pictured board in the study of a social club in New Bedford, MA for several years. Your dating of early 2000's seems likely. The pieces came in a box from the Chess Store. It's a very nice set.

On a side note, the board above that came with the fleur-de-lys pieces had a very glossy finish that was kind of off-putting, so my woodworker brother stripped and refinished it for me. He also added a border. Ended up real nice. Here are some pics with Spanish pieces.

@oldquaker - thank you! I enjoy connections such as this - a couple of sets purchased in New York … one finds it way to Australia and pictures are shared by strangers across the seas 20 plus years later. That burl board is beautiful and made ever more so by your brother’s craftsmanship. The boarder tops it off perfectly.

Here are my pieces on two more boards … not nearly as lovely as yours but both vintage, refurbished by me and with their own charms. The later board is probably the best sizing for this set. I find our respective knights interesting / the same set to be sure but check out the ear and the carving in the jaws - the back of your jaw has a curve - almost like a drill bit has been used to create the curve whereas mine does not have that. My knights ears appear ever so slightly more gouged too …that part of the beauty of hand made items; subtle differences.