I would not say this set was butt ugly, but it was not really the best set. It's my Mexican souvenir set with an 8" King. I purchased it at a swap meet after a very long day of searching for anything chess related and managed to nab it for a mere ten dollars. The board was in horrible condition with fecal matter from birds on it. However, the pieces inside were clean.
These sets are common on ebay, however this particular size is the rarest. The Rooks in this set are much sturdier than others I've seen. The Knights are also more nicely carved. The wood is unknown to me, and the pieces are unweighted. There are felts, but they are of very poor quality (made of cloth rather than true felt). The pieces were not well balanced, particulary the pawns. Even with a 3" square size board these pieces were oversized. 
I sold this set earlier this year for about $100 to a woman in California with an artistic streak. I wonder whatever became of them?
Well. These are the "Teocaltiche" sets. In México, we learn chess whit one of these. 
Everyone who has played this game for any length of time has had a well meaning relative or friend that thinking about decor instead of playability gifted you with a set you probably never used.
Mine was an Asian made wooden set that had egg shaped Bishops and knights, you almost had to mark them with a sharpie to play with them.
Anyway if you have a picture of an unplayable or can share a story about one.
Do it on this thread