Eldrbarry's Search for Unusual Chess Sets

I can't afford a vast collection of Chess sets, but I am collecting images of many interesting and unusual pieces. Some are commercially available (those images will have links), but many others have been fleetily glimpsed while browsing ebay auctions, etc. I am gradually putting together a series of pages and pdf documents, so you too can enjoy the variety of unusual designs of Chess sets. I have gathered plenty of links to On Line Sources for Unusual Chess sets.

• Nutz & Boltz and other "found" items. Here are some links: Mother Earth News . . Super Handyman . . Artylogical chess . . Zelazny (See below) . . Geek's Chess set . . An Origami Chess Set . . Lego Chess 1 . . Lego Chess 2
• The Conventional Chess Sets from 1700 to the introduction of Staunton's (1849)

• Dermot Rochford's Chess Antiques Online including his articles:Collecting 101 and Condition and Restoration

More Sources for Unusual Chess Sets:

• The Chess Piece (USA) Wood chess sets, metal chess sets, camel bone chess sets, onyx chess sets and carved chess sets. Best known for their collector chess sets, personality chess pieces and high quality Staunton pattern chess sets, and theme chess sets - selling them at the best prices on the internet! The chess sets and chess pieces are designed by them and selected partners and they sell directly to the public and chess retailers, and other online stores at the very best prices.
• House of Chess (Pleasant TImes) (USA). Fine Staunton sets, also Artistic sets (Lotus, Globe, abstract) and Boards and Presentation boxes.
• House of Staunton (USA) Heirloom quality Premium and Standard Staunton sets in fine woods; Also some pre-Staunton reproductions; Valueline and plastic sets; Boards. -- House of Staunton Antiques
• House of Staunton Antiques (USA) Vintage sets by Jaques of London and competitors, European non-standard, barleycorn, Indian and oriental sets; figural sets and nostalgic.
• Beekay Exports (India) Exporter of Fine Staunton and other Collector's Chess sets - in wood and in bone.
• J. S. Artsworks (India)
• Novica Chess Sets Handmade Chess sets by some of the most talented chess craftsmen around the world. Associated with National Geographic, Novica works directly with artisans in Latin America, Africa and Asia. They even have a Auto Parts Set and a Glass Chess set.
• The Chess Doctor Chessmaze International (UK) Chess dealer and knowledge resource centre. A variety of fine sets and chess products, also caters to clubs and organizations.
• Abundant Board Games Chess, Backgammon and other Board games
• Quality Chess Imports Classic, Theme, or Travel Chess Sets and related products.
• Handmade Chess from Poland Many colorful handmade wooden sets
• Surgical Shop Chess Store
• Chess Sets of Kolobob (Russia) Russian Page with a fantastic selection of unusual sets! Handcarved wood, Regular and Staunton, Hand paintedsets, metal and pewter figures sets
• Chess Sets Gallery (Russia) Collectors sets including designs by chess sculptor Oleg Raikis. See in particular his Flowers design.
• Askold Chess Set Gallery (Russia) A beautiful collection of handmade chess sets and boards - many carved from Mammoth Tusk
• Compendium of York (UK) A family-run specialist games shop in York. Staunton and Character sets, Boards and Tables, other games.
• Village Chess Shop NYC Shop with a variety of sets
• Chess Store Internet store with a large variety of Chess sets including fine woods, brass, Lacquered, Italian alabaster, marble; Drueke, Theme Sets, and much more.
• The Chess Workshop Contemporary and Custom made chess sets and boards including a replica of William Caxton's 1480 set.
• Tinder Box (USA) Wood, resin and metal sets in Staunton and Character styles; Boards.
• Hawley's Billiards Very large selection of Chess sets and Themed Chess Pieces and furniture
• Alice in Wonderland Chess Sets at the White Rabbit Shop in Carmel, CA.Handpainted theme chess sets.
• Wonderland Chess An Alice in Wonderland inspired chess site.
• Dragon Art Dragon Themed Chess sets and boards
• Legend Products (USA) More than thirty five different styles in the Staunton tradition eight of these are custom made to Legend Products specifications exclusively. Legend chess sets are specifically designed for tournament players.
• Kimmy's Craft Emporium Fine carved sets made in India.
• Made in Firenze Fine Italian Chess sets
• Old World Collectibles and Creations has some very unique wood hand crafted chess sets and boards.
• Rodchester Chess Center A variety of Chess sets including Anne Carleton and Collector's sets.
• Garrick Coleman (UK) These are very expensive antigue sets in Staunton and other collectors' styles.
• Crystal Chess Beautiful Glass and Porcelain Sets from the Czech Republic
• Your Move Chess 'n Games America's largest chess store.
• Chess 'n Games Lots of novelty sets and other games too - See especially their Marble-resin and themed sets
• Hyde Park Chess (USA) has some nice Staunton sets in wood or plastic; Variations in marble, brass and resin; Themed (including Studio Anne Carlton sets); and Decorative (Crystal and Glass sets) (pricy)
• Studio Anne Carleton Sculpted and Theme sets.
• Art-carved Wooden Chess Sets Hand carved wood chess sets by a master carver, Jim Arnold, who makes a variety of custom themed sets, boards and tables. Jim can be commissioned to do unique and special sets as well, and devotes as much attention to the board's theme as he does to the pieces. Among his many themes are The DJ, Golf, Orchestra, Firemen, Atlantis, Pirates, and much more.
• Wooden Garden Chess (Indonesia) Particularly large sets for the the outdoors - gardens, parks, resorts, hotels, schools, campgrounds, back yard, chess club, decoration and community centres.
• The Plate Lady Collectables Mostly Themed Sets
• Chess Baron (UK) A wide range of nice chess sets
• TheChessDesigner (aka Mike Amadeo) Custom made sets in hardwood, silver, fabric and stones.
• The Loon Lake Decoy Company also makes several chess sets with sportsmen themes.
• Edman Collection(Ireland) - Pewter sets
• Tagua Nut Sets (Rain Forest) Carved into birds, animals and other forms.
• Rebirth Africa - sets representing four tribal groups in Malawi.
• Kimbula Africa Crushed stone sets and curios. Also African Goodies
• African Animal Stone Chess Sets Abstracted Animal pieces. Interesting boards, many other African curios.
• Rose Cottage Industries Makers of the famous Lewis chess set
• Mega Chess provides the largest collection of big chess sets and chessboards in the world — many found nowhere else.
• Loewe's lost wax cast set
• Elizabeth Gann: A Treasury of some beautiful, unusual & rare chess sets.
• Gift Swami - Hand painted Chess Sets
• Littlehand Chess One set depicting the Zulu Wars
• Abama's Vertical Chess sets
• Twin Creek Chess Art Beautiful, definitely unusual, though perhaps not too playable.
• Karin Rashid sets Two intensely colorful sets.
• Chess Treasures Artisan Chess Sets has classic and Crystal sets
• Sticks A variety of colorful and whimsical sets - and tables and furniture.
• Chess Sets made in Portugal
• Priory Classic Chess (UK) Resin, Metal and Handpainted Sets
• Antique Chess Sets And Related Items For Sale (UK) Dermot Rochford - Nice color photos
• Natural Chess Sets made from tree branches with inlaid boards.
• Cameron Fraser Art Works An Austrailian artist living in Spain with an interesting sculpted set
• Two sets by Lorna Sakalovsky - Clowns and Rabbi's
• Art by Tigrani A Shockwave site with mysterious music and some very fancy chess sets and other art done by Armenian artist, Tigran Sarkisyan.

• Victor Keat's The illustrated guide to world chess sets
• Article: "The Art of Chess Pieces" Isaac Linder . . (More on book)
• Illustrated Story of Chess

  Chess Exhibits and Collections (i.e. Not for Sale)

• Zelazny's Designing Chess Sets from found objects, etc. Includes a gallery of pictures of children's designs.
• An Univ. of Oregon Class Assignment: Design a Chess Set with some interesting examples.
• Rocky's Chess SketchUp Collection of Chess Sets (ideas)

• Art of Chess Exhibit, London, Summer 2003 . . (More)
• For Show Not for Play Article about a museum exhibit of glass chess pieces
• Article about an exhibit: "The Imagery of Chess Revisited," shown Oct. 21, 2005-Mar. 5, 2006, at the Noguchi Museum, in Long Island City, N.Y. More
• Long Island Chess Museum
• Mrs. Uralova Elena Vyacheslavovna Chess Collection
• THE ART OF CHESS AT THE GILBERT COLLECTION
• The Most Expensive Chess Set (a $500,000 set) some more pictures
• Lawrence Totaro"s Ultimate Chess Collecting and his collections/ memorabilia Site
• Some custom Decor Leather Boards with pieces displayed on them

• Chess Collector's International
• Gert Jan Slotboom's Chess Sets (View with Internet Exployer)
• Jon Crumiller's personal collection of 200 chess sets
• Rick White's Chess Collection A very interesting collection of sets
• David Hafler's Private Chess Collection
• Ty's Chess Collection
• Dario Perez Violoniste Chess Collection
• An Anonymous Collection
• Virtual Chess Set Collection of Irmgard and Aad van den Bosch
• Webshots of Dennis Hunt's personal collection of chess sets -- a collection started in 1959 that fills a whole room and six web albums.
• Album of a chess collection by an enthusiast who frequently travels to play chess.
• A collection of 3-D chess sets
• Ismenio's collection of computer / robotic chess sets and small travelling sets. (Portegal)
  
  (Your suggestions of other web sites
  with interesting and unusual chess sets are most welcome,
  Please send me the URL's : eldrbarry@eldrbarry.net)

  

• E-bay Stores:
  • House of Staunton
  • Beekay's India
  • World-Chess-and-Fine-Arts
  • Euro Crafts
  • Yipperoo Company Chess Store (Canada)
  • Lionheart Designs An eclectic site of collectables and a interesting number of resin chess sets
  • M. S. Craft Emporium Some nice sets!
  • Wekam Handmade Chess Gift Store
  • ChessnGames
  • The Plastered Pawn Reproductions of The Isle of Lewis Chessmen and a 14th Century German set.
  • Yellow Mountain Imports Chinese Sets without high shipping costs!
  • Chester's Chess Store A chess collector turned seller.
  • Art Smart India Chess Sets and Belly Dance Jewelry from India
  • Lionheart Chess A variety of fine sets. (USA only)
  • Vintage Chess Items (pre 1970) . . (post 1970)
  • Other Ebay Chess Stores - Many bargains can be found with some persistent browsing, and perhaps some skillful bidding.