100 unusual antique chess sets

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Rsava

And I believe this is a page about the carver of the set:

 

https://forum.artinvestment.ru/blog.php?b=292547

lighthouse
plastiquesound wrote:

Hi Chess fans!  I found this set in a collection on Pinterest, but the captions are all in Greek, and the posting member can only speak Greek!  I think this is a Greek museum set,  and it's absolutely beautiful; powerful but without detracting from the game's purpose; sexy, but very tasteful, and the theme is contemplative; Greek Gods vs. Goddesses!  It vibrates on several lines of moral, physical, and spiritual thought, and looks like it would still be playable despite the clear aesthetic joy for which it was originally designed.  If anyone has any information on this particular set, specifically what it is (it's proper name), where it's from, what it's made of, who made it, when they made it, and whether or not any replicas exist.  I am very interested in either acquiring a replica set or commissioning one from someone skilled in the materials.

That's such a nice set !

 

lighthouse
19 days ago

Yes, HOS staunton has made a replica of Harold Baruch but it is badly made and does not come any close to the original Baruch. The production of original Baruch ended in 1950s. The set is made of coffee ebony which is very rare and very attractive. However, the original set costs around $800-$1000 and it is extremely hard to find. I play most of the time with this set although I have hundreds others.

Yes, I made a simple wooden set once for $15 and painted it red. You can do the same.

he never stops  ?

lighthouse

 

Chessopera the troll why not post your 100 chess sets here ?

along with your painted one .

plastiquesound

Thanks for the translation and the links, Rsava!  Joseph Epstein is clearly a gifted artist, and no, have not been able to find a cast set even remotely approaching this in either quality or thematic development.  It is called "The Mystery of Bacchus", and it took Epstein 15 months to carve from wooly mammoth ivory tusk, that's right, I said it, MAMMOTH TUSK!  I guess it's easy to get in the Ukraine :-)  As a general rule, when gold becomes the "cheap" material, more often than not you're onto something special!  :-)  The other sets on that website are also impressive, but not as mind blowing as the Bacchus set.  The boards are also incredibly impressive:

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Rsava, the language barrier is killing me.  Is there any way you could find out if Epstein is selling these works and for how much?

Thanks again!!!!

plastiquesound

Anybody have any links\connects to artists\craftsmen who are capable of carving\manufacturing custom themed chess sets?  I am interested in purchasing one, and I am willing to pay what it takes within reason.  I have some good ideas for themes but I don't have the artistic ability to do them myself!  Thanks!!!!!!!

greghunt

These guys specialise in one-off sets.  https://caballerochess.com/ I suspect that they may be more expensive than you expect. I have not bought from them, just talked to them.

IpswichMatt
@plastiquesound, try messaging the user jimarnoldchess who has an account here. Or if he’s not online google “Jim Arnold chess” and you’ll find his website where you’ll be able to see samples of his work and his contact details
Rishi9

Is for sale on etsy. Amazing Victorian chess table design.

Description - Ref 2945 19th century Victorian Campaign/Travelling Chess Table
A travelling, campaign chess table, mahogany with the squares of Rosewood and Sycamore. English circa 1880. For a similar table see British Campaign Furniture by Nicholas Brawer, page 139. 12.75 in x 15 in x h:29 in

 

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forked_again

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quadibloc

Looking through these again, I noticed that #132 looks like a smaller version of the Cambridge Springs chess set.

alleenkatze
quadibloc wrote:

Looking through these again, I noticed that #132 looks like a smaller version of the Cambridge Springs chess set.

Indeed an example of the American Chess Company chessmen used at Cambridge Springs which employed Jaques style Knights.