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The Dublin Pattern is a nineteenth century English design, popularised by makers such as Jaques of London, and this is a reproduction of it in ebonised and antiqued boxwood.
What identifies the pattern immediately is the base. It is broad and bulbous where a modern Staunton finishes on a flat disc, so every piece looks as though it has been set down and settled.
The king stands 91mm and the queen shares its base width, which is unusual and is a large part of why the two royal pieces read as a pair rather than as a ruler and a consort.
The dark army is ebonised boxwood and the light side is antiqued, which is what stops a design of this age from looking newly made.
It sits with the rest of our reproduction chess pieces.
Set this army beside a contemporary club Staunton of similar height and the outlines are recognisably related. What separates them is underneath.
A modern piece narrows through the shank and finishes on a flat disc. A Dublin piece swells outward at the foot into a rounded bulb, so the base is part of the shape rather than a plate the shape stands on.
That changes how the set looks in the opening position. The back rank reads as a row of substantial objects, and the eye travels along the bulbs as much as along the heads.
At 1,250 grams the set has the substance to back that appearance up. A piece is lifted, moved and set down, and it stops where it is put, which over a long game turns out to be restful.
Look for a mid sized board, with squares of 45mm to 55mm, and take 55mm if you have the choice. The broad feet set that window; at 45mm the bases very nearly touch, and below that the set is outside what it is cut for.
The Dublin Pattern belongs to the great period of nineteenth century English chess manufacture, when workshops such as Jaques of London were turning the named patterns we still buy today.
It is a distinct answer to the question they were all asking: how do you make a set a serious player can use hard and still want to look at?
Its answer was the base. Where other patterns of the period competed on the height of the king or the elaboration of the knight, the Dublin put its character at the bottom of the piece.
Every other proportion follows from that decision, and it is why the pattern is still identifiable at a glance more than a century on.
Design lineage is worth taking seriously on a reproduction, because it explains figures that would otherwise look like errors. A queen sharing the king's base width looks like a mistake on a modern spec sheet; here it is the point.
So is a bishop and a knight standing at exactly the same height. Those were decisions the original makers took, and a reproduction that corrected them would not be a reproduction.
An antiqued finish wants more care than usual. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what makes turned hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil and furniture polish alone: polish flattens the deliberate tone of the light army.
Storage is worth a thought too. Thirty four pieces loose in a bag will mark each other and mark the ebonised finish, so a tray or a lined drawer earns its place. Neither is included here.
It is the base that makes this one worth having. The Dublin puts its character at the foot of every piece, and the result is an army that looks planted and old in a way a modern Staunton simply does not.
The antiqued light side is what keeps the whole thing from reading as a new set pretending to be an old one, and it is the part of the finish polish will take off and never give back.
One thing to know before ordering. The bishop and knight stand at exactly the same height, so they are told apart by shape alone. If you want more separation under a clock, a conventional pattern from our staunton chess pieces will serve you better.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
The bases. Dublin pieces swell outward at the foot into a broad rounded bulb where a modern piece finishes on a flat disc, which gives the whole army a low, planted look. It is a nineteenth century English design.
45mm to 55mm, and 55mm gives the bulbous feet the room they were drawn for. At 45mm the set is snug but still within range. Below that it is outside what it is cut for, so check the square before you order.
It is the light side of the set, toned to a warmer, aged colour rather than left bright cream, so the army suits the age of the design it reproduces. The dark side is ebonised boxwood, brought to a near black.
1,250 grams across all 34 pieces, which is substantial for a king this height. It is what gives the set its deliberate feel in play: a piece is lifted, moved and set down, and it stays where it is put.
Yes. Both stand level with each other on matching bases, which is how the original pattern was drawn, so they are distinguished by shape alone. It takes a game or two to stop double checking.
34 chess pieces, which is the full set of 32 for a game plus two more. There is no board and no storage included in this listing.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
91mm high (3.6 inch), 35mm base |
|
Queen |
80mm high (3.1 inch), 35mm base |
|
Bishop |
72mm high (2.8 inch), 32mm base |
|
Knight |
72mm high (2.8 inch), 32mm base |
|
Rook |
56mm high (2.2 inch), 32mm base |
|
Pawn |
49mm high (1.9 inch), 29mm base |
|
Material |
Ebonised boxwood and antiqued boxwood |
|
Dark chess pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light chess pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Recommended square size |
45mm to 55mm (1.77 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,250 grams (2.7 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in ebonised boxwood and antiqued boxwood
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
Chess board not included
Storage box not included
All products sold by Sterling Chess are backed by a 12 month limited manufacturer warranty. This covers manufacturing defects and cracking, and ensures every product is 100% genuine. If you need assistance, our team is only a call or email away.
Is shipping really free?
Yes — we offer free standard shipping on all orders across Australia, with no minimum spend. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Are there any exceptions to free shipping?
No exceptions. Every order ships free, regardless of size, weight, or order value.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Orders are typically dispatched within 1–2 business days, with delivery times depending on your location. You'll receive tracking details by email once your order is on its way.
Do you ship to all areas of Australia?
Yes, we deliver Australia-wide, including regional and remote areas — all at no shipping cost to you.
Can I track my order?
Absolutely. As soon as your order ships, we'll email you a tracking number so you can follow its journey to your door.
What if I need my order quickly?
Get in touch before ordering and we'll do our best to help. Standard shipping is free, and we'll advise on the fastest available option for your area. To contact us, simply email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au, call (03) 7037 0931 or open the live chat.
Changed your mind? You can return unused, unopened items within 100 days of your order date, provided they’re in original packaging and resaleable condition. Sterling Chess will cover the cost of shipping return items under our 100-day free returns policy.
All Sterling Chess products are backed by Australian Consumer Law and include a minimum 12-month Australian warranty. If there’s an issue with your product, our team is here to help and will work to make it right.
Click here to view our full returns policy.
If you're shopping for a new chess set, you're in the right place—and here's why.
1. We know chess inside and out
At Sterling Chess, we're not just another online store. We’re chess lovers, players, collectors, and game night fanatics.
That means we care about quality, balance, and feel—and we only stock sets we’d use ourselves. From tournament-grade boards to handcrafted wooden pieces, we’ve got what real players want.
2. Unmatched variety for every player
Whether you're just learning or a lifelong grandmaster, we have something for you.
Looking for a folding set for travel? A stunning showpiece for your home? A kid-friendly set for your budding chess champion? We’ve got it all—and more.
3. Fast and FREE shipping on all orders
Shipping is FREE on all Sterling Chess orders.
We ship quickly from local and international warehouses, so you’re not waiting weeks to get your game on.
Most orders are packed and sent within 24–48 hours. Plus, you’ll get tracking updates every step of the way.
4. Customer support that actually helps
Have a question? Need help choosing a set? Our friendly team is ready to help—no scripts, no bots, just real people who care about your experience.
You can call our team anytime between business hours on (03) 7037 0931 or email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au. Alternatively, you can use our live chat during business hours to contact our helpful support team.
5. Thousands of happy customers
Don't just take our word for it—our reviews speak for themselves. Sterling Chess is trusted by thousands of players who keep coming back for more. Great products. Great service. No hassle.
6. Classic games, too
We're all about chess—but we also carry backgammon, checkers, poker and other timeless strategy games. If you love the classics, you’ll feel right at home.
Ready to make your move?
Choose a chess set that fits your style, skill level, and space—and enjoy the Sterling Chess difference. You’ll love how it looks. You’ll love how it plays. And you’ll love buying from a team that loves the game just as much as you do.
The Dublin Pattern is a nineteenth century English design, popularised by makers such as Jaques of London, and this is a reproduction of it in ebonised and antiqued boxwood.
What identifies the pattern immediately is the base. It is broad and bulbous where a modern Staunton finishes on a flat disc, so every piece looks as though it has been set down and settled.
The king stands 91mm and the queen shares its base width, which is unusual and is a large part of why the two royal pieces read as a pair rather than as a ruler and a consort.
The dark army is ebonised boxwood and the light side is antiqued, which is what stops a design of this age from looking newly made.
It sits with the rest of our reproduction chess pieces.
Set this army beside a contemporary club Staunton of similar height and the outlines are recognisably related. What separates them is underneath.
A modern piece narrows through the shank and finishes on a flat disc. A Dublin piece swells outward at the foot into a rounded bulb, so the base is part of the shape rather than a plate the shape stands on.
That changes how the set looks in the opening position. The back rank reads as a row of substantial objects, and the eye travels along the bulbs as much as along the heads.
At 1,250 grams the set has the substance to back that appearance up. A piece is lifted, moved and set down, and it stops where it is put, which over a long game turns out to be restful.
Look for a mid sized board, with squares of 45mm to 55mm, and take 55mm if you have the choice. The broad feet set that window; at 45mm the bases very nearly touch, and below that the set is outside what it is cut for.
The Dublin Pattern belongs to the great period of nineteenth century English chess manufacture, when workshops such as Jaques of London were turning the named patterns we still buy today.
It is a distinct answer to the question they were all asking: how do you make a set a serious player can use hard and still want to look at?
Its answer was the base. Where other patterns of the period competed on the height of the king or the elaboration of the knight, the Dublin put its character at the bottom of the piece.
Every other proportion follows from that decision, and it is why the pattern is still identifiable at a glance more than a century on.
Design lineage is worth taking seriously on a reproduction, because it explains figures that would otherwise look like errors. A queen sharing the king's base width looks like a mistake on a modern spec sheet; here it is the point.
So is a bishop and a knight standing at exactly the same height. Those were decisions the original makers took, and a reproduction that corrected them would not be a reproduction.
An antiqued finish wants more care than usual. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and air vents, which is what makes turned hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil and furniture polish alone: polish flattens the deliberate tone of the light army.
Storage is worth a thought too. Thirty four pieces loose in a bag will mark each other and mark the ebonised finish, so a tray or a lined drawer earns its place. Neither is included here.
It is the base that makes this one worth having. The Dublin puts its character at the foot of every piece, and the result is an army that looks planted and old in a way a modern Staunton simply does not.
The antiqued light side is what keeps the whole thing from reading as a new set pretending to be an old one, and it is the part of the finish polish will take off and never give back.
One thing to know before ordering. The bishop and knight stand at exactly the same height, so they are told apart by shape alone. If you want more separation under a clock, a conventional pattern from our staunton chess pieces will serve you better.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
The bases. Dublin pieces swell outward at the foot into a broad rounded bulb where a modern piece finishes on a flat disc, which gives the whole army a low, planted look. It is a nineteenth century English design.
45mm to 55mm, and 55mm gives the bulbous feet the room they were drawn for. At 45mm the set is snug but still within range. Below that it is outside what it is cut for, so check the square before you order.
It is the light side of the set, toned to a warmer, aged colour rather than left bright cream, so the army suits the age of the design it reproduces. The dark side is ebonised boxwood, brought to a near black.
1,250 grams across all 34 pieces, which is substantial for a king this height. It is what gives the set its deliberate feel in play: a piece is lifted, moved and set down, and it stays where it is put.
Yes. Both stand level with each other on matching bases, which is how the original pattern was drawn, so they are distinguished by shape alone. It takes a game or two to stop double checking.
34 chess pieces, which is the full set of 32 for a game plus two more. There is no board and no storage included in this listing.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
91mm high (3.6 inch), 35mm base |
|
Queen |
80mm high (3.1 inch), 35mm base |
|
Bishop |
72mm high (2.8 inch), 32mm base |
|
Knight |
72mm high (2.8 inch), 32mm base |
|
Rook |
56mm high (2.2 inch), 32mm base |
|
Pawn |
49mm high (1.9 inch), 29mm base |
|
Material |
Ebonised boxwood and antiqued boxwood |
|
Dark chess pieces |
Ebonised boxwood |
|
Light chess pieces |
Antiqued boxwood |
|
Recommended square size |
45mm to 55mm (1.77 inch to 2.16 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,250 grams (2.7 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces in ebonised boxwood and antiqued boxwood
Two pieces more than a standard game array uses
Chess board not included
Storage box not included
All products sold by Sterling Chess are backed by a 12 month limited manufacturer warranty. This covers manufacturing defects and cracking, and ensures every product is 100% genuine. If you need assistance, our team is only a call or email away.
Is shipping really free?
Yes — we offer free standard shipping on all orders across Australia, with no minimum spend. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
Are there any exceptions to free shipping?
No exceptions. Every order ships free, regardless of size, weight, or order value.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Orders are typically dispatched within 1–2 business days, with delivery times depending on your location. You'll receive tracking details by email once your order is on its way.
Do you ship to all areas of Australia?
Yes, we deliver Australia-wide, including regional and remote areas — all at no shipping cost to you.
Can I track my order?
Absolutely. As soon as your order ships, we'll email you a tracking number so you can follow its journey to your door.
What if I need my order quickly?
Get in touch before ordering and we'll do our best to help. Standard shipping is free, and we'll advise on the fastest available option for your area. To contact us, simply email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au, call (03) 7037 0931 or open the live chat.
Changed your mind? You can return unused, unopened items within 100 days of your order date, provided they’re in original packaging and resaleable condition. Sterling Chess will cover the cost of shipping return items under our 100-day free returns policy.
All Sterling Chess products are backed by Australian Consumer Law and include a minimum 12-month Australian warranty. If there’s an issue with your product, our team is here to help and will work to make it right.
Click here to view our full returns policy.
If you're shopping for a new chess set, you're in the right place—and here's why.
1. We know chess inside and out
At Sterling Chess, we're not just another online store. We’re chess lovers, players, collectors, and game night fanatics.
That means we care about quality, balance, and feel—and we only stock sets we’d use ourselves. From tournament-grade boards to handcrafted wooden pieces, we’ve got what real players want.
2. Unmatched variety for every player
Whether you're just learning or a lifelong grandmaster, we have something for you.
Looking for a folding set for travel? A stunning showpiece for your home? A kid-friendly set for your budding chess champion? We’ve got it all—and more.
3. Fast and FREE shipping on all orders
Shipping is FREE on all Sterling Chess orders.
We ship quickly from local and international warehouses, so you’re not waiting weeks to get your game on.
Most orders are packed and sent within 24–48 hours. Plus, you’ll get tracking updates every step of the way.
4. Customer support that actually helps
Have a question? Need help choosing a set? Our friendly team is ready to help—no scripts, no bots, just real people who care about your experience.
You can call our team anytime between business hours on (03) 7037 0931 or email us at support@sterlingchess.com.au. Alternatively, you can use our live chat during business hours to contact our helpful support team.
5. Thousands of happy customers
Don't just take our word for it—our reviews speak for themselves. Sterling Chess is trusted by thousands of players who keep coming back for more. Great products. Great service. No hassle.
6. Classic games, too
We're all about chess—but we also carry backgammon, checkers, poker and other timeless strategy games. If you love the classics, you’ll feel right at home.
Ready to make your move?
Choose a chess set that fits your style, skill level, and space—and enjoy the Sterling Chess difference. You’ll love how it looks. You’ll love how it plays. And you’ll love buying from a team that loves the game just as much as you do.
