Standard Chess Bag

"A classical design that embodies the form, style, and design of the turn-of-the century Staunton pattern Chess sets that were produced by the legendary firm Jaques of London."

The most striking aspect of the Harrwitz Series Chess Set is the beautiful patina on the Boxwood (White) Chessmen. Our artisans have accurately captured the rich, golden color commonly found on well preserved antique Chess sets. As with all of our Chess sets, the Harrwitz Series exemplifies a perfect combination of distinct beauty and functionality. It has been designed to withstand the rigors of practical play while maintaining an elegance which has become the hallmark of a House of Staunton chess set.

This beautifully rich combination of chessmen and display case is a wonderful complement to any collection. The chessmen are faux ivory, so close to the original it would be difficult to determine the old from the new. This elaborate early 1800s English Playing Chess Set design, referred to in the literature as a Calvert Pattern, is derived from earlier German designs from the 15th through the 19th centuries. It is often, but wrongly, attributed to John Calvert, a Master of the Worshipful Company of Turners, located at 189 Fleet Street, from around 1790 to 1840. He specialized in exquisitely turned Chess sets in ivory for the aristocracy and in ebony/boxwood for the many coffee shops and clubs where Chess was a popular pastime. Chessmen of this type were actually manufactured throughout the early-to-mid Victorian period by John Jaques of London and Thomas Lund of Cornhill. The Calvert playing sets were ultimately supplanted by the Staunton pattern chessmen, which were introduced to the public in the fall of 1849 by the firm of John Jaques of London. The pattern dates from 1815, at which time white and red colored ivory pieces were popular. The slender baluster stems and the unusual form of the King and Queen with their pierced floral crowns, makes an attractive and highly decorative design. This reproduction is an exact copy of the original the original Calvert Chess set that is crafted from bone. The bone that was used to craft these Chessmen was hand selected by our lead craftsman to insure that only the purist, whitest bone was used. The result is a striking Chess set whose color and appearance is very similar to that of Elephant Ivory. THESE ARE ACTUAL HAND CARVED BONE CHESSMEN - Not to be confused with our faux Ivory Calvert Chessmen.

The House of Staunton is proud to introduce our newest masterpiece - The Lasker Timeless Series Chessmen. Part of our Timeless Collection, it is exact reproduction of the Jaques of London Chessmen Circa 1890 Lasker Staunton Pattern Chessmen.

"Created to commemorate the Nottingham 1936 Tournament and designed to replicate the feel and Old World craftsmanship of the Staunton chessmen produced during the late Victorian period."

"Designed by the Maestro Frank A. Camaratta, Jr., an entirely new concept in Staunton Pattern chess sets, resulting in a masterpiece that is without a doubt the most beautiful Chess set ever produced!"

"With a strong hint of the Art Deco look that is reminiscent of the 1920s, they completely capture the essence of a serious set of chessmen while at the same time maintaining a look of pure elegance."

"Designed by the Maestro Frank A. Camaratta, Jr., an entirely new concept in Staunton Pattern chess sets, resulting in a masterpiece that is without a doubt the most beautiful Chess set ever produced!"