Few names in fine metalware carry the weight of Royal Selangor. For 140 years this Malaysian house has shaped pewter into objects of real beauty, and today it produces some of the most striking collectible chess sets in the world. This guide tells the story behind the brand: where it came from, why pewter is such a rewarding material, what makes the chess collection special, and what to know before you invest in a piece. As the Australian stockist of Royal Selangor chess sets, we field a lot of questions about the brand, and this is everything worth knowing in one place.
Let us start with the story, because with Royal Selangor the heritage is a large part of what you are buying.
The origins of a pewter house
Royal Selangor began in Kuala Lumpur in 1885, when a young pewtersmith named Yong Koon arrived from southern China and set up a modest workshop. He brought with him the traditional skills of pewter smithing, and from those humble beginnings grew what is now the largest pewter manufacturer in the world.
The company has stayed family-owned across four generations, which is rare for a brand of its scale and is central to how it has protected its standards. That continuity of knowledge, techniques and judgement passed down rather than lost, is exactly what you see in the finest chess craftsmanship, and it is why heritage makers tend to hold their quality where mass producers drift.
From colonial Malaysia to a royal warrant
The early workshop made everyday items for the local community. As Malaysia moved from British colonial rule to independence, Royal Selangor evolved with it, shifting from utilitarian objects to decorative pieces, tableware and the collectibles it is celebrated for today. In 1979 the company received the honour of the Royal prefix, granted in connection with the Sultan of Selangor, a recognition of the quality and standing it had earned. That royal warrant is not decoration; it is a mark of exceptional craft.
Why pewter is worth collecting
Pewter does not have the flash of gold or the prestige of silver, but in the hand it has a character all its own. It is an alloy of mostly tin, typically around 92 to 97 percent, with small amounts of copper and antimony added for strength. That composition gives it qualities that matter to a collector.
Pewter takes fine detail beautifully, which is why Royal Selangor pieces reward close examination. It has a soft, natural lustre that develops a gentle patina over the years. It is surprisingly durable and resistant to tarnishing when cared for. And it carries a satisfying weight, the kind of heft that separates a serious object from a trinket. For anyone who already appreciates a well-weighted chess piece, pewter speaks the same language.
The craft behind every piece
What makes Royal Selangor remarkable is that, despite its scale, it still relies on traditional hand-finishing. Each piece passes through several stages: an artist creates the original sculpture or model, precision moulds are made, molten pewter is cast and cooled, and then skilled artisans hand-finish, polish and engrave every piece before it passes inspection.
That human touch is the point. Hand-finishing gives each piece a subtle individuality that mass production cannot replicate, the same quality that distinguishes a hand-carved chess knight from a moulded one. When you hold a Royal Selangor chess piece, you are holding the work of a craftsperson, not a machine alone.
The Royal Selangor chess collection
For chess collectors, Royal Selangor sits at the meeting point of playability and display. These are pieces designed with weight, balance and tactile satisfaction in mind, not merely ornaments. The collection spans several distinctive designs, each a genuine statement.
The Royal Selangor Lewis Chess Set reinterprets the famous medieval Lewis Chessmen in fine pewter, one of the most recognisable and characterful designs in all of chess. The Camelot Chess Set renders the Arthurian legend as a set of beautifully sculpted pewter figures. Alongside these sit classic Western and modernist designs, a Chinese chess set, and a range of licensed collectible sets produced under official partnerships, the kind of limited pieces that collectors seek out and hold onto.
Every one of these is as much a display object as a playing set. They belong on a shelf or desk as readily as on a board, and they hold their presence in a room the way fine metalware always has.
Buying Royal Selangor in Australia
Royal Selangor has a global following, with showrooms across Asia, Europe and beyond, and its visitor centre in Kuala Lumpur lets people watch craftspeople at work and even try pewter smithing themselves. That openness is part of why the brand is so trusted: it has nothing to hide about how its pieces are made.
For Australian collectors, the practical question has always been where to buy with confidence. We are proud to stock the Royal Selangor chess collection here in Australia, which means local availability, local support, and our 100 day free returns on every piece, so you can be sure a set is right for you in your own home before you commit. Browse the full Royal Selangor collection to see what is currently available, or explore our wider range of luxury chess sets if you are weighing Royal Selangor against other fine makers.
Is Royal Selangor worth it?
It is a fair question for any premium purchase, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you value. If you want a functional set to learn on, there are more practical options in our chess sets range. But if you want an object that combines genuine craftsmanship, a 140-year heritage, and a design worth displaying, Royal Selangor delivers something mass-produced sets simply cannot.
Like any well-made collectible from an established house, quality Royal Selangor pieces tend to hold their value, and limited editions in particular can appreciate over time. But the truest reason to buy one is the pleasure of owning it: the weight in the hand, the detail under the light, and the knowledge that it was made properly, by people, to last for generations.
Frequently asked questions
What is Royal Selangor?
Royal Selangor is a Malaysian pewter house founded in Kuala Lumpur in 1885 and now the largest pewter manufacturer in the world. Family-owned across four generations, it produces fine pewter tableware, gifts and collectibles, including a celebrated range of collectible chess sets.
Why is Royal Selangor so expensive?
The price reflects genuine hand craftsmanship, a 140-year heritage, and the quality of the pewter itself. Each piece is hand-finished by skilled artisans rather than fully machine-made, and the collectible chess sets in particular involve intricate sculpting and detailing. You are paying for craft, materials and design that mass production cannot match.
Is Royal Selangor good quality?
Yes. Royal Selangor is widely regarded as one of the finest pewter makers in the world, holds a royal warrant, and has maintained its standards across four generations of family ownership. Its pieces are known for fine detail, satisfying weight, and durability when properly cared for.
Are Royal Selangor chess sets meant to be played with or displayed?
Both. The sets are designed with real attention to weight, balance and tactile quality, so they play beautifully, but their sculptural designs also make them superb display pieces. Many owners enjoy them equally as art objects and as playable sets.
How do you care for pewter?
Pewter is relatively low-maintenance. Regular dusting and occasional gentle cleaning with mild soap and warm water keep it looking its best. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners, which can damage the finish. Cared for simply, pewter lasts for generations.
A piece worth owning
Royal Selangor endures because it has never stopped doing the hard thing: making objects properly, by hand, with respect for a craft passed down since 1885. For chess collectors who value heritage, weight and beauty as much as the game itself, a Royal Selangor set is one of the most rewarding pieces you can own.
Explore the full Royal Selangor chess collection, available here in Australia and backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can bring one home with complete confidence.
Written by Blake Sterling, founder of Sterling Chess. Blake has handled fine chess sets from makers around the world and has a particular admiration for Royal Selangor, whose pewter craft embodies everything he looks for in a piece worth keeping: heritage, weight, hand-finished detail, and a design that earns its place in a room. He believes the best sets are the ones you want to display as much as play, and that a Royal Selangor set is exactly that.
