Figurine Chessmen

Though chess is usually played with abstract pieces, figurine pieces are popular as souvenirs or novelty items. Some of the more noteworthy figurine chessmen can be seen below.

The 12th-Century Isle of Lewis, or Uig, chessmen were likely created by Norsemen as playing pieces. Note that the rook is represented as a shieldman.

The 18th-Century Kholmogory chessmen were created in a Russian woodworking town. Note that the bishop is represented as an elephant and the rook as a boat.

The 18th-Century Fürstenberg chessmen were created for the Duke of Brunswick by a ceramics factory in Germany. The pieces depict the Prussian royal house. Note that the bishop is represented as a swordsman.

The 20th-Century Ganine Gothic, or Superba, chessmen were created by a popular Russian-American sculptor who designed several chess sets. Note that, in this one, the chessmen are represented with heads only.

While Ganine's Conqueror chessmen featured elongated figures and sharp angles.

The 20th-Century Anri King Arthur, or Lowe's Renaissance, chessmen were created by a French woodworking company and then popularized by the E.S. Lowe company. Note that the bishop has no headwear.

The 20th-Century Vasari chessmen were created by an Italian sculptor with a fondness for military history and chess. These sets varied, but they were always created in bronze with gold and silver gilt.