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John Calvert was one of the prominent chess carvers working in England before the Staunton pattern arrived, around the eighteenth century. This set reproduces one of his designs closely.
The king measures 85mm, and the set has the formal, upright bearing of its period. It is an older idea of what a chess piece should look like, and it still works.
Ebony wood makes the dark side. The light side is distress antiqued boxwood, aged so that it wears a vintage patina, and nothing here arrives looking factory fresh.
It is double weighted, with substantial ballast in the bases, so a piece comes down and stops exactly where you left it. These are heirloom chessmen, meant to last decades.
Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.
What you are buying is a piece of chess history you can actually play with. The design belongs to the era before Staunton settled the shapes everyone now takes for granted.
The finish is the first thing anyone comments on. The pale army has been aged to carry a patina, so the set looks lived with on the day it comes out of its wrapping.
The dark side is ebony wood, which is dark in the timber itself and needs no colour laid over it to get there. Beside the aged pale side the pairing is soft and old looking.
Weight is what makes it feel serious. The ballast in the bases is substantial, so a piece lands, stops and stays, and a clumsy elbow on the table does not scatter the position.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 40mm to 50mm, and that is a wide window. Take the upper end of it: down at the bottom there is very little board showing around the king and the back rank closes up.
This suits somebody who enjoys the history as much as the game. The design comes out of England before the Staunton pattern existed, and that lineage is a good part of the appeal.
It suits a room as well as a table. The aged light army and the ebony dark side give the whole thing a settled, unhurried look, and it earns a shelf between games.
It is not for a buyer who wants pieces looking bright and new. The ageing is deliberate and the whole design leans on it, so expect a patina and not a polished pale timber.
Check the board before you order. Measure the squares you own, aim high inside the window if you are buying new, and be ready to change the board rather than squeeze this army onto a tight one.
Looking after them is a simple job. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.
The designs that came before Staunton have always appealed to me, and this is a good one.
The weighting is what lifts it above a curiosity. A set drawn from this period could easily have ended up as something to look at, and this one plays properly: firm on the base, comfortable to hold, heavy enough to stay put.
Buy it if the history appeals and you either own or will buy a board with the right squares. If you want a full sized army for weekly club games, our tournament chess pieces are where to look.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 40mm to 50mm. Aim high inside that range, because at the narrow end very little bare board is left around the king and the pieces sit close together.
A prominent English chess carver, at work in the era before Staunton, around the eighteenth century. These chessmen reproduce one of the designs he is known for.
They are distress antiqued boxwood. The timber has been aged to give the effect of a vintage patina, and that is where the set gets its old, settled character.
1,000 grams for the full set. It is double weighted, and there is real ballast in every base, so a piece will not tip if you catch it with a sleeve.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
85mm high (3.3 inch), 34mm base |
|
Queen |
76mm high (3.0 inch), 30mm base |
|
Bishop |
63mm high (2.5 inch), 28mm base |
|
Knight |
60mm high (2.4 inch), 28mm base |
|
Rook |
52mm high (2.0 inch), 28mm base |
|
Pawn |
46mm high (1.8 inch), 26mm base |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood |
|
Light pieces |
Distress antiqued boxwood |
|
King height |
85mm |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
40mm to 50mm (1.57 inch to 1.96 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,000 grams (2.2 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each 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.
John Calvert was one of the prominent chess carvers working in England before the Staunton pattern arrived, around the eighteenth century. This set reproduces one of his designs closely.
The king measures 85mm, and the set has the formal, upright bearing of its period. It is an older idea of what a chess piece should look like, and it still works.
Ebony wood makes the dark side. The light side is distress antiqued boxwood, aged so that it wears a vintage patina, and nothing here arrives looking factory fresh.
It is double weighted, with substantial ballast in the bases, so a piece comes down and stops exactly where you left it. These are heirloom chessmen, meant to last decades.
Look for it in our reproduction chess pieces.
What you are buying is a piece of chess history you can actually play with. The design belongs to the era before Staunton settled the shapes everyone now takes for granted.
The finish is the first thing anyone comments on. The pale army has been aged to carry a patina, so the set looks lived with on the day it comes out of its wrapping.
The dark side is ebony wood, which is dark in the timber itself and needs no colour laid over it to get there. Beside the aged pale side the pairing is soft and old looking.
Weight is what makes it feel serious. The ballast in the bases is substantial, so a piece lands, stops and stays, and a clumsy elbow on the table does not scatter the position.
These pieces suit boards with squares of 40mm to 50mm, and that is a wide window. Take the upper end of it: down at the bottom there is very little board showing around the king and the back rank closes up.
This suits somebody who enjoys the history as much as the game. The design comes out of England before the Staunton pattern existed, and that lineage is a good part of the appeal.
It suits a room as well as a table. The aged light army and the ebony dark side give the whole thing a settled, unhurried look, and it earns a shelf between games.
It is not for a buyer who wants pieces looking bright and new. The ageing is deliberate and the whole design leans on it, so expect a patina and not a polished pale timber.
Check the board before you order. Measure the squares you own, aim high inside the window if you are buying new, and be ready to change the board rather than squeeze this army onto a tight one.
Looking after them is a simple job. Keep the set out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, which is what makes hardwood check. Dust with a dry soft cloth, and leave oil, polish and solvents alone.
The designs that came before Staunton have always appealed to me, and this is a good one.
The weighting is what lifts it above a curiosity. A set drawn from this period could easily have ended up as something to look at, and this one plays properly: firm on the base, comfortable to hold, heavy enough to stay put.
Buy it if the history appeals and you either own or will buy a board with the right squares. If you want a full sized army for weekly club games, our tournament chess pieces are where to look.
- Blake Sterling, CEO & Founder, Sterling Chess
Squares of 40mm to 50mm. Aim high inside that range, because at the narrow end very little bare board is left around the king and the pieces sit close together.
A prominent English chess carver, at work in the era before Staunton, around the eighteenth century. These chessmen reproduce one of the designs he is known for.
They are distress antiqued boxwood. The timber has been aged to give the effect of a vintage patina, and that is where the set gets its old, settled character.
1,000 grams for the full set. It is double weighted, and there is real ballast in every base, so a piece will not tip if you catch it with a sleeve.
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each colour. What is in the box is listed in full below.
No, neither one is included. This listing is the chessmen on their own, so a board and a box are both separate purchases. Match whatever board you buy to the square window in the specifications below.
|
Spec |
Detail |
|
King |
85mm high (3.3 inch), 34mm base |
|
Queen |
76mm high (3.0 inch), 30mm base |
|
Bishop |
63mm high (2.5 inch), 28mm base |
|
Knight |
60mm high (2.4 inch), 28mm base |
|
Rook |
52mm high (2.0 inch), 28mm base |
|
Pawn |
46mm high (1.8 inch), 26mm base |
|
Dark pieces |
Ebony wood |
|
Light pieces |
Distress antiqued boxwood |
|
King height |
85mm |
|
Weighting |
Double weighted |
|
Recommended square size |
40mm to 50mm (1.57 inch to 1.96 inch) |
|
Total weight of pieces |
1,000 grams (2.2 lbs) |
|
Piece count |
34 |
|
Chess board |
Not included |
34 chess pieces, including a spare queen of each 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.
