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✔ Questions? Call Us: (03) 7037 0931
The Northern Traditional Carved Bud Rosewood 130mm Chess Pieces sit at the top of our luxury chess pieces range, and they are made for anyone who wants a set that holds a room. A 130mm king is well above tournament height, so these work as much for display as for play. Collectors, gift buyers and players with a large board will all find something here.
The dark pieces are turned from bud rosewood (Dalbergia Oliveri), a dense hardwood with a deep reddish brown figure that shifts as the light moves across it. The light side is boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia), close grained and pale, which holds fine carving without tearing. Both sides carry a semi gloss natural finish rather than a heavy lacquer.
What separates this collector edition from a standard Staunton is the carving on the king and the queen. Both carry a carved face, a detail that takes far longer at the bench than a plain finial. There are 34 pieces in total, so a promoted pawn has a queen waiting on either side of the board.
Most luxury chess pieces compete on timber alone. Ebony against rosewood, sheesham against boxwood, with the same Staunton profile turned again and again. The carving here is what shifts the comparison, because a carved king and queen face is hand work and cannot come off a lathe.
Scale is the second difference. At 130mm the king stands around 35mm taller than the FIDE tournament standard, which changes how the set occupies a table. On a large board it reads as a centrepiece. On a club sized board it will feel crowded, so match the board carefully.
If you want the same timbers closer to tournament height, the rest of our wood chess pieces collection covers the range from club size upward.
Bud rosewood is one of the harder timbers to carve cleanly. It is dense, and it tears if the tool is dull or the grain runs against the cut. That same density is why the finished surface takes a semi gloss so evenly, with no filler and no heavy top coat hiding the figure underneath.
Boxwood behaves differently. It is pale, close grained and forgiving of fine detail, which is why it has been the standard light timber for carved chessmen for well over a century. Put the two sides next to each other and the contrast sits in tone and texture, not only colour.
The set weighs 1140g across 34 pieces and every piece is double weighted. In practice the king does not tip when a hand brushes past it, and a knight set down firmly stays where you put it. Light pieces are the most common complaint about decorative chess sets, and that is not an issue here.
Thick leather felt on the bases does the rest. It slides rather than scrapes, protects a timber playing surface, and takes the clatter out of a fast exchange. Paired with the semi gloss finish, these are pleasant to handle over a long session rather than being purely ornamental.
Piece to board fit is set by the base, not the height. The king base here measures 39mm, and the usual guide is that the base should fill roughly 75 to 80 percent of the square. That puts these pieces on squares of about 50mm to 55mm, which across a full board means a playing surface in the region of 40cm to 44cm.
Go smaller and the back rank crowds. Go much larger and the set looks lost. Our chess boards collection lists square size on every listing, so the fit is easy to check before ordering. These pieces are sold on their own, so the board is a separate decision.
The carved king and queen faces are the reason to choose this set, and they are uncommon at any size, since most carved editions stop at a decorative finial. The caveat is scale: a 130mm king wants a board with 50mm to 55mm squares and a table with room around it, and buyers stepping up from a tournament set are often surprised by the jump. It suits collectors and display buyers first and large board players second, and anyone after something to carry to a club night should look further down our Sterling Chess range.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Collectors and display buyers first, because the carved king and queen faces and the 130mm height are made to be looked at. Players are well served too, provided the board is large enough. Regular club use is better met by a standard tournament height set.
The king base is 39mm, which suits squares of roughly 50mm to 55mm and a playing surface around 40cm to 44cm across. Every listing in our chess boards collection states its square size, so you can confirm the fit before ordering.
Yes. Every piece is double weighted and the full set of 34 weighs about 1140g, with a stated tolerance of ten percent. The bases carry thick leather felt, so the pieces glide quietly and do not mark a timber board.
The dark pieces are bud rosewood (Dalbergia Oliveri) and the light pieces are boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia). Both are finished in a semi gloss natural coat rather than a heavy lacquer, so the grain stays visible. Colour and figure vary from piece to piece, which is normal for solid timber.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents, since both dry timber out over time. Wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, never a solvent or a household spray. A light wax once or twice a year keeps the finish even.
No. These pieces are sold on their own. There is no chess board and no storage box in the shipment, so allow for both separately if you need them.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
130mm (5.1 inches) |
King base diameter |
39mm |
Queen height |
128mm |
Bishop height |
107mm |
Knight height |
106mm |
Rook height |
89mm |
Pawn height |
82mm |
Dark pieces |
Bud rosewood (Dalbergia Oliveri) |
Light pieces |
Boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia) |
Piece count |
34 pieces, including two extra queens |
Set weight |
1140g, plus or minus 10 percent |
Weighting |
Double weighted |
Base finish |
Thick leather felt |
Surface finish |
Semi gloss natural |
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
Chess board |
Not included |
Storage box |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in bud rosewood and boxwood
2 spare queens, one per colour
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 Northern Traditional Carved Bud Rosewood 130mm Chess Pieces sit at the top of our luxury chess pieces range, and they are made for anyone who wants a set that holds a room. A 130mm king is well above tournament height, so these work as much for display as for play. Collectors, gift buyers and players with a large board will all find something here.
The dark pieces are turned from bud rosewood (Dalbergia Oliveri), a dense hardwood with a deep reddish brown figure that shifts as the light moves across it. The light side is boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia), close grained and pale, which holds fine carving without tearing. Both sides carry a semi gloss natural finish rather than a heavy lacquer.
What separates this collector edition from a standard Staunton is the carving on the king and the queen. Both carry a carved face, a detail that takes far longer at the bench than a plain finial. There are 34 pieces in total, so a promoted pawn has a queen waiting on either side of the board.
Most luxury chess pieces compete on timber alone. Ebony against rosewood, sheesham against boxwood, with the same Staunton profile turned again and again. The carving here is what shifts the comparison, because a carved king and queen face is hand work and cannot come off a lathe.
Scale is the second difference. At 130mm the king stands around 35mm taller than the FIDE tournament standard, which changes how the set occupies a table. On a large board it reads as a centrepiece. On a club sized board it will feel crowded, so match the board carefully.
If you want the same timbers closer to tournament height, the rest of our wood chess pieces collection covers the range from club size upward.
Bud rosewood is one of the harder timbers to carve cleanly. It is dense, and it tears if the tool is dull or the grain runs against the cut. That same density is why the finished surface takes a semi gloss so evenly, with no filler and no heavy top coat hiding the figure underneath.
Boxwood behaves differently. It is pale, close grained and forgiving of fine detail, which is why it has been the standard light timber for carved chessmen for well over a century. Put the two sides next to each other and the contrast sits in tone and texture, not only colour.
The set weighs 1140g across 34 pieces and every piece is double weighted. In practice the king does not tip when a hand brushes past it, and a knight set down firmly stays where you put it. Light pieces are the most common complaint about decorative chess sets, and that is not an issue here.
Thick leather felt on the bases does the rest. It slides rather than scrapes, protects a timber playing surface, and takes the clatter out of a fast exchange. Paired with the semi gloss finish, these are pleasant to handle over a long session rather than being purely ornamental.
Piece to board fit is set by the base, not the height. The king base here measures 39mm, and the usual guide is that the base should fill roughly 75 to 80 percent of the square. That puts these pieces on squares of about 50mm to 55mm, which across a full board means a playing surface in the region of 40cm to 44cm.
Go smaller and the back rank crowds. Go much larger and the set looks lost. Our chess boards collection lists square size on every listing, so the fit is easy to check before ordering. These pieces are sold on their own, so the board is a separate decision.
The carved king and queen faces are the reason to choose this set, and they are uncommon at any size, since most carved editions stop at a decorative finial. The caveat is scale: a 130mm king wants a board with 50mm to 55mm squares and a table with room around it, and buyers stepping up from a tournament set are often surprised by the jump. It suits collectors and display buyers first and large board players second, and anyone after something to carry to a club night should look further down our Sterling Chess range.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Collectors and display buyers first, because the carved king and queen faces and the 130mm height are made to be looked at. Players are well served too, provided the board is large enough. Regular club use is better met by a standard tournament height set.
The king base is 39mm, which suits squares of roughly 50mm to 55mm and a playing surface around 40cm to 44cm across. Every listing in our chess boards collection states its square size, so you can confirm the fit before ordering.
Yes. Every piece is double weighted and the full set of 34 weighs about 1140g, with a stated tolerance of ten percent. The bases carry thick leather felt, so the pieces glide quietly and do not mark a timber board.
The dark pieces are bud rosewood (Dalbergia Oliveri) and the light pieces are boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia). Both are finished in a semi gloss natural coat rather than a heavy lacquer, so the grain stays visible. Colour and figure vary from piece to piece, which is normal for solid timber.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents, since both dry timber out over time. Wipe with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, never a solvent or a household spray. A light wax once or twice a year keeps the finish even.
No. These pieces are sold on their own. There is no chess board and no storage box in the shipment, so allow for both separately if you need them.
Spec |
Detail |
King height |
130mm (5.1 inches) |
King base diameter |
39mm |
Queen height |
128mm |
Bishop height |
107mm |
Knight height |
106mm |
Rook height |
89mm |
Pawn height |
82mm |
Dark pieces |
Bud rosewood (Dalbergia Oliveri) |
Light pieces |
Boxwood (Gardenia Latifolia) |
Piece count |
34 pieces, including two extra queens |
Set weight |
1140g, plus or minus 10 percent |
Weighting |
Double weighted |
Base finish |
Thick leather felt |
Surface finish |
Semi gloss natural |
Recommended square size |
50mm to 55mm |
Chess board |
Not included |
Storage box |
Not included |
32 chess pieces in bud rosewood and boxwood
2 spare queens, one per colour
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.
