The Killarney Series Luxury Chess Pieces - 4.875" King
From the Camaratta Collection
The Killarney chessmen, like our other reproduction Victorian era Playing sets, have been reintroduced with those special touches that only the Maestro can add, and are part of the Camaratta Pre-Staunton Signature Series.
The Killarney chessmen, like our other reproduction Victorian era Playing sets, have been reintroduced with those special touches that only the Maestro can add, and are part of the Camaratta Pre-Staunton Signature Series.
To pamper you, The House of Staunton is proud to offer the Killarney Series Luxury Chess Pieces, the newest masterpiece from the Camaratta Pre-Staunton Signature Collection. The Chess pieces are heavily weighted with Frank Camaratta Signature Leather base pads under a single King from each army, luxurious billiard cloth base pads on the other Chess pieces and a beautiful finish.
As with all of our Chessmen, the Killarney Series Luxury Chess set 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. The design, quality and craftsmanship of this set is UNMATCHED by any set of Chessmen in its price range. Nothing even comes close!
The Chessmen are new and each set consists of 34 Chessmen, including four Queens, a standard that was introduced by The House of Staunton in 1993.
The Chess Set comes with a Individually Numbered Certificate of Authenticity and an original manufacturer's plaque indicating the production number, with an adhesive backing that would allow it to be affixed to the underside of a Chess box.
The Killarney chessmen use the House of Staunton’s innovative weighting system developed by the Maestro. Recognizing that the bases are too shallow to accommodate the traditional lead weighting, Brass Disc are affixed to the bases of each of the chessmen. Aside from their elegant appearance, the brass weights provides perfect weight and balance for these elegant chessmen without the hairline cracking headaches frequently associated with lead weighting.
Note - The Killarney Series Luxury Chess Pieces have been photographed on an Original, Circa 1853 Killarney Chessboard handcrafted out of Yew and Arbutus by a celebrated Killarney craftsman.
Product Specifications
More Information
ISBN
Does not apply
Chess Board Included?
The Chess Board featured is for photographic purposes only and must be purchased separately
Material(s)
Cocobolo, Tulipwood
Fitted Coffer Compatible?
Fits in Fitted Coffer
Weighting
Brass Weights Affixed to the Bases
King Height
4.875'' inch / 12.38 cm
King Base Diameter
1.5'' inch / 3.81 cm
Recommended Chess Board Size
2.5" inch / 6.4 cm
Basepad Material
The Kings Feature English Leather Embossed with Frank Camaratta Signature™
Median Set Weight
37.6 Ounces
Total Number of Pieces
34 Chess Pieces, including 2 Additional Queens (for Pawn Promotion)
History of the Chess Pieces
THE KILLARNEY CHESSMEN
Offered here is an accurate reproduction of the fabled Killarney chessmen. Each piece is masterfully crafted from the most highly desirable exotic woods. The King stands a majestic 4.875” tall with a 1-1/2” diameter base. The chessmen employ the novel and very distinctive brass weighting system pioneered by Frank Camaratta. Each of the chessmen rests on a cushion of green baize. One Rook from each army bears the black leather Signature base pad, your guarantee that these are authentic Frank Camaratta Signature chessmen. These chessmen were produced in a very limited quantity to enhance their collectability.
The original chessmen were turned from Arbutus and Yew woods. The use of Arbutus wood (i.e. the wood of the Strawberry Tree) is typical of Killarney. This close-grained wood had been highly valued for centuries in Ireland. Unfortunately, over time, these two woods became almost indistinguishable making the chessmen unsuitable for serious practical play. We chose a different species of exquisite exotic woods which will retain their beauty and sharp contrast with the passing of time.
“Killarneyware” is the distinctive style of furniture and works of art produced in Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe during the mid-19th century and is often associated with its creator, James Egan. It has been suggested that the original Irish Killarney Chessmen were produced in Killarney from around 1850 until 1870. James Egan working from his workshop on Main Street in Killarney, Ireland, was known to have made the now famous Killarney chessboards. Although there is no rigorous association between his name and the Killarney chessmen, it is almost certain that he would have produced at least a few sets to complement his distinctive chessboards. Jeremiah O’Connor was a fierce rival of Egan. They both competed for and dominated the business of making Killarney Furniture in the 1860s. It is likely that O’Connor also produced a number of Killarney chessmen, although that assumption has never been proven.
Included with Purchase
Certificate of Authenticity
Engraved Registered Plaque
Individual Production Number
Warranty
The House of Staunton warranties this item to be free from manufacturing defect for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
Please click here to download a copy of our warranty and guide to caring for your House of Staunton Chess Pieces.
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