Pre-Staunton Chessmen

Before the chess world adopted the Staunton design for chess pieces, chessmen were represented by a variety of decorative motifs. Not even crowns for kings and queens or horse heads for knights were guaranteed. Here are a few of the more common pre-Staunton chessmen.

Persian-style chessmen featured thrones for the king and queen, elephants for bishops, and chariots for the rooks.

Islamic/Muslim-style chessmen featured mushroom-like forms and intricate linework.

Biedermeier chessmen featured cups at the top of the shafts of the king and queen and bishops with feathers or basque caps.

Selenus chessmen featured large flower-shaped cups on the shafts of the king and queen and acorn-topped bishops.

Spindle chessmen featured a honey-dipper-topped king and queen and acorn-topped bishops.

Barleycorn chessmen featured ornate barrels on the shafts of the king and queen, tulip-topped bishops, and flags on the rooks.

Régence/Directoire chessmen featured large cups or bulbs at the bottom of the shafts.

St. George chessmen featured stacked disks along the shafts and tulip-topped bishops.