Unusual vintage Staunton chess set

I've downloaded photos of a wonderful weighted Tournament size (4ins) chess set but need help in tracing who made it, when and where. Anyone have any ideas?

No idea, but it's very nice. What are the dark pieces made of?

Hi, thanks. The blacks are in Ebony including the knights which are turned/carved in one piece (as far as I can see).  No chips or splits in the set. Haven't seen another on the internet either - it's a mystery!

Interesting. Post some more pics including the black.

Here you are - more photos. And in taking them I did notice a couple of 'dings' to a black bishop and a white knight.

Those are the thickest pawn collars I've ever seen! Good luck in tracking it down.

Less chances of chipping. I really like that set. They look like 1 piece knights. It is hard to say where it was made. How close are the carving details to each other ?

Details are close across all four knights. The whites have been varnished to get that 'honey' patina so I'm thinking perhaps the 50s but who knows.

It's a nice set to be proud of. I would take that set any day over a common Indian repro . It has class.

Beautiful set! The one piece knights are masterfully turned and carved, this takes some special effort. It is rarely done, I can only think of a handful of thusly done sets, like the Official Fide World Championship one and some old Austrian Coffeehouse sets.

Also, I have never seen bishops and pawns like this.

A *very* nice find, congrats!

-Izmet Fekali

http://bestchessmenever.com

Thanks to you all. This set is an Ebay purchase from the south of England three weeks ago - which just goes to prove you can still come across gems amongst the dross.

This set is what I term HEAVYWEIGHT (very) - judged in (recent) comparison with other weighted 4ins antique/vintage sets owned by friends.

Really nice set!

Latest update: I've been in touch with a number of collectors and dealers the upshot being that a) the set is probably East European or Russian, b) it's from an English workshop 1850 -1900, a one-off or small run, c) it's Brazilian and d) no idea (with no reference in auction records going back 70 years). 

I have a version of this set in 3 5/8" king (below).  Does anyone have any more information?  It is definitely one of the most unique sets in my collection.  The craftsmanship is quite high overall, the knight's look is frightening and mysterious, the pieces substantial.  I think they are made out of hardwood.  I know at least 3 of these sets exist.  One being @Borderschessman's above (4" K), and another was listed and sold on 1stdibs here (3 5/8" king): https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/collectibles-curiosities/games/antique-hardwood-weighted-chess-set-chess-board-box-kings-ca-1900/id-f_25968802/

@Borderchessman you appear to be based in the UK.  The 1stdibs seller is based in UK.  I bought mine from eBay auction from an estate flipper in New York, who suggested it may be from UK in their description but did not seem particularly chess-savvy or offer a reason.  It seems at least that people in possession of these are residing in the UK.  Whether they were made there or simply are falling into hands there is still a mystery to me.

Here is the one I have:

That's the kind of set that I love! So uniquely nice looking and different from the norm.Just a gem of a set of chess pieces....You're fortunate to own it.

I don't think I've seen such a well made slide-top box as that one - it even has dovetail joints

Thanks Beachero for posting your set and the link to 1stDibs - I'm simply staggered at the price that set sold for! It's been quite a while since I was on here but it's good to see that the conversation has moved on. Funnily enough, there was a set on Ebay (from a UK seller, so not yours) a couple of years ago and I had thought of having a go for it but didn't. My, how I wish I had now! Maybe it was the set that ended up on 1stDibs? However, it all points to it being a small batch production from a skilled English wood turner at the turn of the 19th century but more importantly, implies that there may be more out there - so keep your eyes peeled!

@Borderschessman, I found out a few months ago that American collector Duncan Pohl had one too. I like mine a lot. The quality of the wood and carving is very high and the design is unique, one of my favorites in my collection.

I only got into chess collecting during the Covid crisis and this set was the very first I purchased. Over the following 18 months I acquired a good few wood Staunton sets, all English apart from one French and an Austrian set. And then the passion left me. However, only recently it seems to have reawakened, quickened by a small unweighted set now on Ebay, made/retailed by Feltham of London and posted by a US seller - will it never end lol!