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The Joc Catalan appeared at the Barcelona international tournament around 1930, in the last years before the civil war shut down Catalan cultural life. Almost none of the original sets survive and nobody knows how many were made.
The proportions are unlike any other pattern we carry. A 100mm queen under a 110mm king, a 92mm bishop, and a 73mm rook, so the whole back rank is tall and closely spaced rather than stepping sharply down.
Genuine ebony or bud rosewood, weighted, on 55mm squares. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
Genuine ebony gives a near black dark side with almost no figure, and at 1,250g it is the slightly heavier of the two. Bud rosewood is a figured burl with a reddish ground and swirling grain, coming in a touch lighter at 1,200g.
On a pattern this tall and this closely stepped, the ebony arguably works harder. With so little height separating the pieces, a flat black dark side makes the profiles read as clean silhouettes, where a heavily figured timber adds visual noise to an already busy back rank.
That said the rosewood is the warmer object and the more unusual one. Both sit in our wood chess pieces range.
The Joc Catalan is often sold as a Gaudi design, and it is worth being straight about the evidence. Some researchers attribute it to Antoni Gaudi; Gaudi scholars generally do not, and the supplier says so plainly in its own notes.
What is not in dispute is the period and the place. It is a Catalan Art Nouveau object from the years around 1930, made in a city where that movement was at its height and then cut short. Buy it for that, not for a signature nobody can prove.
King 110, queen 100, bishop 92, knight 81, rook 73. Ten millimetres between king and queen, eight between queen and bishop, and the whole rank spans only 37mm from tallest to shortest.
A conventional Staunton at this king height would span nearer 55mm, so this reads as a far denser and more vertical arrangement. The pieces are identified by their heads rather than by their stature, which takes adjusting to and which gives the assembled board a striking, almost architectural look.
Squares of 55mm, which is standard tournament sizing and unusually convenient for a 110mm set. The relatively narrow 44mm base is what allows it.
That makes this one of the few large sets in the range that will sit correctly on a board most people already own. Given how tall and closely spaced the pieces are, a plain board serves them better than a figured one. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
The proportions are the whole appeal. A back rank that spans only 37mm from king to rook is genuinely unusual, and the assembled board looks like nothing else we sell: dense, vertical and almost architectural, which is exactly right for a Catalan Art Nouveau object. It is also one of very few 110mm sets that sits on standard 55mm squares, so you probably will not need a new board. Two honest notes. The Gaudi attribution is disputed and I would not buy it on that basis. And with so little height separating the pieces you identify by head rather than stature, which takes a few games.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm, which is standard tournament sizing. The relatively narrow 44mm base is what lets a 110mm set work on a board most people already own.
It is often attributed to him, but Gaudi scholars generally dispute it and the supplier says so too. What is certain is the period and place: Catalan Art Nouveau, Barcelona, around 1930.
That is the pattern. Ten millimetres separate them and the whole back rank spans only 37mm, where a conventional Staunton at this height would span nearer 55mm.
Timber only. Genuine ebony is near black and slightly heavier at 1,250g; bud rosewood is a figured burl at 1,200g. Dimensions are identical.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
110mm (4.3 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
44mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
100mm (3.9 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
92mm (3.6 inch) |
|
Knight height |
81mm (3.18 inch) |
|
Rook height |
73mm (2.87 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.49 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.29 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony or bud rosewood, depending on option |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,250g in ebony, 1,200g in bud rosewood |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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 Joc Catalan appeared at the Barcelona international tournament around 1930, in the last years before the civil war shut down Catalan cultural life. Almost none of the original sets survive and nobody knows how many were made.
The proportions are unlike any other pattern we carry. A 100mm queen under a 110mm king, a 92mm bishop, and a 73mm rook, so the whole back rank is tall and closely spaced rather than stepping sharply down.
Genuine ebony or bud rosewood, weighted, on 55mm squares. It sits among our reproduction chess pieces.
Genuine ebony gives a near black dark side with almost no figure, and at 1,250g it is the slightly heavier of the two. Bud rosewood is a figured burl with a reddish ground and swirling grain, coming in a touch lighter at 1,200g.
On a pattern this tall and this closely stepped, the ebony arguably works harder. With so little height separating the pieces, a flat black dark side makes the profiles read as clean silhouettes, where a heavily figured timber adds visual noise to an already busy back rank.
That said the rosewood is the warmer object and the more unusual one. Both sit in our wood chess pieces range.
The Joc Catalan is often sold as a Gaudi design, and it is worth being straight about the evidence. Some researchers attribute it to Antoni Gaudi; Gaudi scholars generally do not, and the supplier says so plainly in its own notes.
What is not in dispute is the period and the place. It is a Catalan Art Nouveau object from the years around 1930, made in a city where that movement was at its height and then cut short. Buy it for that, not for a signature nobody can prove.
King 110, queen 100, bishop 92, knight 81, rook 73. Ten millimetres between king and queen, eight between queen and bishop, and the whole rank spans only 37mm from tallest to shortest.
A conventional Staunton at this king height would span nearer 55mm, so this reads as a far denser and more vertical arrangement. The pieces are identified by their heads rather than by their stature, which takes adjusting to and which gives the assembled board a striking, almost architectural look.
Squares of 55mm, which is standard tournament sizing and unusually convenient for a 110mm set. The relatively narrow 44mm base is what allows it.
That makes this one of the few large sets in the range that will sit correctly on a board most people already own. Given how tall and closely spaced the pieces are, a plain board serves them better than a figured one. Our chess boards collection is filtered by square size. No board is included with these pieces.
The proportions are the whole appeal. A back rank that spans only 37mm from king to rook is genuinely unusual, and the assembled board looks like nothing else we sell: dense, vertical and almost architectural, which is exactly right for a Catalan Art Nouveau object. It is also one of very few 110mm sets that sits on standard 55mm squares, so you probably will not need a new board. Two honest notes. The Gaudi attribution is disputed and I would not buy it on that basis. And with so little height separating the pieces you identify by head rather than stature, which takes a few games.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 55mm, which is standard tournament sizing. The relatively narrow 44mm base is what lets a 110mm set work on a board most people already own.
It is often attributed to him, but Gaudi scholars generally dispute it and the supplier says so too. What is certain is the period and place: Catalan Art Nouveau, Barcelona, around 1930.
That is the pattern. Ten millimetres separate them and the whole back rank spans only 37mm, where a conventional Staunton at this height would span nearer 55mm.
Timber only. Genuine ebony is near black and slightly heavier at 1,250g; bud rosewood is a figured burl at 1,200g. Dimensions are identical.
No. This listing is for the 34 pieces only. Boards sit across our chess boards collection.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King height |
110mm (4.3 inch) |
|
King base diameter |
44mm (1.7 inch) |
|
Queen height |
100mm (3.9 inch) |
|
Queen base diameter |
42mm (1.6 inch) |
|
Bishop height |
92mm (3.6 inch) |
|
Knight height |
81mm (3.18 inch) |
|
Rook height |
73mm (2.87 inch) |
|
Officer base diameter |
38mm (1.49 inch), bishop, knight and rook |
|
Pawn height |
55mm (2.16 inch) |
|
Pawn base diameter |
33mm (1.29 inch) |
|
Dark pieces |
Genuine ebony or bud rosewood, depending on option |
|
Light pieces |
Boxwood |
|
Weighting |
Weighted, thick green felt on every base |
|
Piece count |
34, including two spare queens |
|
Total set weight |
1,250g in ebony, 1,200g in bud rosewood |
|
Recommended square size |
55mm |
|
Origin |
Hand carved in India |
|
Board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including two spare queens
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.
