The Lewis Chessmen: History and How to Choose a Set

Few chess sets carry the history and character of the Lewis Chessmen. Discovered on Scotland's Isle of Lewis in 1831, these medieval pieces, with their wide-eyed kings, shield-biting warriors and contemplative queens, are among the most famous chess artefacts in the world. Today they inspire beautiful reproduction sets that bring a genuine piece of history to the board. This guide tells the story of the Lewis Chessmen, explains what makes them so distinctive, and covers what to look for if you want a Lewis set of your own.

Let us start with the discovery that made them famous.

The discovery that changed chess history

In 1831, a hoard of intricately carved chess pieces was found buried on a beach on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The find was extraordinary, not just for the age of the pieces but for their number and condition: the hoard held 78 chess pieces from several different sets, along with other gaming pieces and a belt buckle.

Most scholars believe the pieces were carved in Norway, probably in Trondheim, around 1150 to 1200 AD, and somehow ended up on a Scottish shore, perhaps a merchant's stock hidden during a journey and never recovered. The originals are now divided between the British Museum in London, which holds the majority, and National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh, where you can see the remarkable detail up close.

What makes the Lewis Chessmen unique

These are nothing like the standard Staunton pieces most sets use. The Lewis Chessmen have real personality, each piece carved with an individual expression and posture that brings the medieval world to life.

The distinctive designs include kings seated on thrones with swords laid across their laps; queens resting a hand against the cheek in a pose of thought or dismay; bishops holding croziers; knights mounted on sturdy ponies; and, most famously, the warders, the equivalent of rooks, carved as berserker warriors biting the tops of their shields in battle frenzy. The pawns are the only abstract pieces, shaped as simple standing stones. Carved from walrus ivory and whales' teeth, some pieces still show traces of red staining, a clue that the two sides may originally have been red and white rather than black and white.

The craftsmanship is astonishing for the 12th century, with chain mail, decorative thrones and individual facial expressions all rendered in fine detail. It is this human character, more than anything, that has made the Lewis Chessmen endure as cultural icons.

The Viking connection

The Lewis Chessmen belong to the Norse world. In the 12th century the Isle of Lewis was part of the Kingdom of the Isles, under strong Norse influence, and Trondheim in Norway was a major centre for ivory carving. The pieces reflect that culture: the berserker warders draw directly on Norse warrior legend, and the style matches known Scandinavian workshops of the period.

They are also a window onto how chess itself was changing. The presence of a queen and bishops reflects the medieval European form of the game taking shape, making the set not just a beautiful object but a genuine record of chess history at a turning point.

Choosing a Lewis chess set today

You cannot buy the originals, of course, but the enduring appeal of the Lewis Chessmen has produced some wonderful reproduction sets, and they range widely in material, size and purpose. The right one depends on whether you want a set mainly to play with, to display, or both.

Consider a few things when choosing. The character of the pieces is the whole point, so look for a set that captures the expressions and detail that make the originals special, the warder's fierce grimace, the queen's pensive pose, the pony-mounted knight. Think about material and weight: a good reproduction has enough heft to sit firmly and feel substantial in the hand. And decide on size, since the chunky medieval styling needs a board with generous squares to sit comfortably; our guide on what size chess board to get helps you match the two.

Our range of Isle of Lewis chess sets covers the options, from a characterful, playable set to a fine collector's piece. The Dal Rossi Isle of Lewis 40cm Set is an excellent everyday reproduction with the full cast of characters on a matching board, while the Royal Selangor Lewis Chess Set renders the pieces in fine pewter as a genuine heirloom. Both sit within our wider range of chess sets if you want to compare them against other styles.

Display and play

A Lewis set is one of the few that is equally rewarding to play with and to display. The pieces are heavy and distinctive, which makes them satisfying to move and easy to tell apart at a glance, and their character makes every game feel a little more like an occasion. Equally, left set up on a shelf or study desk, a Lewis set is a genuine conversation piece and a nod to nearly nine centuries of chess history.

If you would like to understand the standard pieces alongside these medieval ones, our guide to chess pieces and their meanings covers how each piece is normally represented and why the Lewis designs are such a striking departure.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Lewis chess set?

A Lewis chess set is a reproduction of the Lewis Chessmen, a hoard of medieval chess pieces discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland in 1831 and thought to have been carved in Norway around 1150 to 1200 AD. The pieces are famous for their characterful designs, including shield-biting warrior rooks and contemplative queens.

Why are the rooks biting their shields?

The rooks in a Lewis set are carved as berserkers, the frenzied Norse warriors of legend, shown biting the tops of their shields in battle fury. This draws directly on the Norse culture of the pieces' origin and is the single most recognisable feature of the Lewis Chessmen.

Where are the original Lewis Chessmen now?

The originals are divided between two museums: the majority are held by the British Museum in London, and the remainder by National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh. They were carved from walrus ivory and whales' teeth and remain among the most celebrated objects in either collection.

Are Lewis chess sets good to play with?

Yes. Good reproductions are weighty and stable, and the pieces are easy to tell apart thanks to their distinctive shapes, which makes them practical as well as beautiful. The chunky styling suits a board with generous squares. Many owners enjoy a Lewis set equally as a playing set and as a display piece.

What material are Lewis chess sets made from?

The originals were carved from walrus ivory and whales' teeth. Modern reproductions are made in a range of materials, from resin and composite for characterful, affordable playing sets to fine pewter for heirloom-quality pieces. The material affects the weight, detail and price, so choose according to whether you want a set mainly to play with or to display.

Bringing history to your board

The Lewis Chessmen are proof that a chess set can be a work of art and a piece of history as much as a game. A good reproduction lets you own a little of that heritage, whether you display it, play with it, or both. Look for a set that captures the character of the originals, with the weight and size to suit how you will use it.

Browse our range of Isle of Lewis chess sets, or explore our full range of chess sets to see how they compare. Every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can choose with complete confidence.

Written by Blake Sterling, founder of Sterling Chess. Blake has a particular soft spot for the Lewis Chessmen, which he thinks are the most characterful pieces ever carved, and enjoys introducing customers to their story. He believes a Lewis set is one of the most rewarding a household can own, because it draws people who would never normally sit down to a game simply to pick up the shield-biting rook and ask about it.