The Lewis Chess Pieces

I graduated from Brighton Polytechnic with a BA in Fine Art (Painting) in 1985. I started 1066 Creations in 1996 and moved to
Shropshire in 2000. I make my own models and moulds and over the last few years have managed to complete a large scale set of the famous Lewis Chess pieces.

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Each piece is a faithful replica of one of the original carvings. I may add other, alternative, designs, based on the original sets over time.
Watch this space!

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I cast all the pieces in ordinary concrete so they are fully frost-proof and will last many, many years. They weather beautifully and in
a few years can look like an original weathered stone statue.

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I currently make the Chess pieces in three colours: Natural (grey), Sandstone (cream) and terracotta (light red, for which I add a concrete dye to get the colour). NB shades of these colours may vary a little from batch to batch.

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The original Chess Pieces are late 12th/early 13th century and were found in 1831 on a beach at Uig, Lewis, Scotland. They were probably made in Trondheim, Norway and are carved from walrus ivory and whales' teeth. A total of 78 Chess Pieces were found in the hoard, making up four incomplete Chess sets. They range in size from 6cm to 10cm in height. For more information about the original Chess Pieces go to the National Museum of Scotland website here.

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To see pictures of how I make the original models and moulds/casts click here.

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Simon Jameson, 1066 Creations