The Lewis Chessmen, carved from walrus ivory brought to Europe by Vikings
Added 2019-03-27 10:58:11 +0000 UTCThe Lewis chessmen are a group of distinctive 12th-century chess pieces, most of which are carved from walrus ivory. Discovered in 1831 on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, they may constitute some of the few complete, surviving medieval chess sets.
All the pieces are sculptures of human figures, with the exception of the pawns, which are smaller, geometric shapes. The knights are mounted on rather diminutive horses and are shown holding spears and shields. The rooks are standing soldiers or warders holding shields and swords; four of the rooks are shown as wild-eyed berserkers biting their shields with battle fury.
Comments
Wow! These are completely outstanding! The shield biting !
Kat
2021-08-13 15:27:49 +0000 UTCYeah they're incredible! Love their little faces
Fall of Civilizations Podcast
2019-03-27 17:02:50 +0000 UTCThese are in the British museum. They are amazing.
Cameron
2019-03-27 16:38:41 +0000 UTCHaha yes they are!
Fall of Civilizations Podcast
2019-03-27 11:54:39 +0000 UTCThese are very intense!
Frosty peaches
2019-03-27 11:33:32 +0000 UTC
