giuseppe vasari
Giuseppe Vasari Chess Set: The Battle of Waterloo
Giuseppe Vasari Chess Set: The Battle of Waterloo
This is a work of art by the Italian artist Giuseppe Vasari. The chess set bears the artist’s signature, which can be seen on the soldiers’ shoulder straps.
The set was designed around the theme of the Napoleonic Wars and depicts the famous Battle of Waterloo. It was crafted with remarkable refinement and meticulous attention to detail.
The pieces are made of bronze plating with genuine gold and silver. The board is marble. This is a particularly luxurious set. It is also very rare, having been produced in only a small number of copies worldwide.
One will note the highly sophisticated and detailed finishes of the pieces, the floral motifs with numerous reliefs along the edges of the board, and the four horses that support the set and give it a majestic, antique touch.
The king measures 11.8 cm
The board measures 41.7 x 41.7 x 13 cm without the horses.
With the horses, it measures approximately 51 x 51 cm.
Write / view comments
Giuseppe Vasari Chess Set - Egypt vs. the Romans
This is a work of art by the Italian artist Giuseppe Vasari. The chess set bears the artist’s signature, which can be seen on the pieces and the board. The set was designed around the theme of ancient Egypt. It depicts a clash between the Egyptians and Roman armies. It was crafted with remarkable refinement and attention to detail.
The pieces are made of bronze plating with genuine gold and silver. The board is marble. This is a particularly luxurious set. It is also very rare, having been produced in only a small number of copies worldwide. Note the highly sophisticated and detailed finishes of the pieces, including their costumes and weaponry. An interesting detail is that the towers on the Roman side are represented by battering rams, in which the goat-headed logs are suspended by a metal rod, allowing them to move in a seesaw motion like real battering rams. The king measures 10.2 cm. The board measures 41 x 41 x 7 cm without the helmets
© Jean Baptiste Matuzewski
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
italfama
Italfama chess set with lion-foot board
Italfama chess set with lion-foot board
An Italfama set with pieces made from a blend of wood and brass, on a raised wood-and-metal board.
The board has forged brass feet shaped like lion paws. The chessboard is made of metal and covered with a glass plate that enhances the reflections of the pieces on its surface.
The board bears a “handmade” stamp on its underside.
The king is 8 cm tall. The pawns are 5.2 cm tall.
The wooden board measures 36 x 36 x 6.5 cm.
The pieces feature gold and silver patinas. They were designed in a classic, relatively clean style to allow the original wood-and-brass composition to make its full impact. One will nevertheless note the fairly fine work on the knights’ heads and the very elegant serrated collar at the top of the king and queen.
The set was made in Italy at the end of the 20th century.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Italfama Lanzichenecchi Chess Set
This set was designed in Italy by Italfama with a Renaissance theme. The pieces are made of brass and covered with a silver and gold patina. It features the famous “Lanzichenecchi” mercenaries who had marked this century, they are represented with their characteristic outfits and postures. The Lansquenets were elite German mercenaries, particularly renowned and feared in the 15th and 16th centuries, they fought in numerous battles and influenced the outcome of several major conflicts.
Note the intricate finishes on the chess pieces and the solid, imposing appearance of the chess case. The set is large, with a wooden board measuring 53 x 53 x 8.5 cm. Inside is a storage grid with individual compartments for each piece. The king is 10.5 cm high with a 3.5 cm wide base. The pawns are 7.3 cm high.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Italfama Waterloo Battle Chess Set
Another Italfama model with a historical theme, made on the Battle of Waterloo. The wooden board measures 47 x 47 x 4.5 cm. The board is elevated with legs. The king is 11.7 cm tall and the pawns are 9.2 cm tall. The pieces were cast in brass before being fixed onto wooden bases. They have silver and gold patinas and are quite large. They are also felted. They represent Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, his wife Josephine, and his famous armies.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Italfama wooden and brass chess set
One of the iconic conception from the Italian brand Itaflama, with pieces made from a combination of wood and brass. This one is quite elaborate compared to the classic wood and brass models. The set is around 40 years old, it was purchased in the 1980s. The king is 9.6 cm high and its base is 2.8 cm wide. The pawns are 7.1 cm high. The board measures 38.5 x 38.5 x 4 cm.
Note the complex and subtle shape of the queen’s crown and the highly detailed heads of the knights. The strength of the game lies in the balance of its materials. The marble and brass give the game its shine, nobility, and luxurious appearance. The wood on the pieces and the board softens the metal and stone, giving it a more lively and less raw appearance.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Italfama gold and oak chess set
The pieces are made of gold plated metal and oak wood. The board is made of walnut wood and stands on four legs. The pieces feature Italfama’s classic design, the particularity of the set is its gold-plated composition. The gold-plated and oak wood composition is inscribed on the box. The box is also stamped Italfama and features the official logo of the Italian brand. The board measures 38 x 38 cm. The king is 8.5 cm tall.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Italfama resin chess set
A rather interesting Italfama model made of resin. It has a modern and elegant look in bright white and black. The pieces combines brass and resin, the board is also made of resin. The king is 7.6 cm high and the board measures 40 cm. The board has rounded edges and a reflective surface that highlights the pieces. The set was made in Italy.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Italfama Renaissance busts chess Set
The set is inspired by the aesthetics and imagery of the Italian Renaissance. The pieces represent busts designed in a realistic style. The pieces are quite detailed and have gold and silver patinas. The set was produced in Tuscany at the end of the 20th century. The board is made of imitation leather and has patterns on its edges. It measures 45 x 45 cm. The tallest piece is 9.5 cm high, and the shortest piece is 6.5 cm high.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
marinakis
Marinakis Bronze Medieval Chess Set
Marinakis Bronze Medieval Chess Set
A Marinakis cast bronze set, featuring silver and gold patina. The raised board is stamped “made of massive bronze” and displays decorated borders with a black and yellow chessboard in the Marinakis style.
The set was made in Greece and sold in the city of Thessaloniki, depicting figures from medieval lore.
The pieces are felted, with the largest piece measuring 10 cm and the smallest 7 cm.
The bronze board measures 46 x 46 cm
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Marinakis bronze chess set
A large Marinakis chess set made of cast bronze, with silver and gold patina. The finishes are very detailed for a bronze set. The pieces represent figures from Greek mythology. The largest piece measures 10 cm, all the pieces are felted. Marinakis sets are made in Greece and are often designed around the theme of Greek mythology. This one is more sophisticated and high-end than most of the brand’s models. The wooden board is not original. It is a marquetry piece, measuring 58 x 58 cm.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Marinakis aged bronze chess set
A Marinakis chess set made from solid bronze, aluminum, and copper. This is another model sold in Thessaloniki, Greece, in the 1980s. The set consists of the pieces with their storage box, the game board, and the original cardboard box that contains the whole. The pieces represent figures from Greek mythology. The particularity of this set is its antique appearance; the metal has been deliberately aged to give the impression of an ancient artifact found at the bottom of the sea. The board measures 32.5 cm x 32.5 cm x 2.5 cm. The king is 6.6 cm tall and the pawns are 5.1 cm tall.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
franklin mint
Franklin Mint Chess Set – The Battle of Waterloo
Franklin Mint Chess Set – The Battle of Waterloo
A collectible chess set produced by Franklin Mint in 1984, themed after the Battle of Waterloo. The pieces are crafted from pewter with solid copper round bases, accented by an enameled circular band.
They were designed by the artist Philip J. Haythornthwaite, before being individually handcrafted by the silversmiths of the Franklin Mint.
The set was supplied with descriptive cards for the pieces, as is often the case with Franklin Mint productions.
This chess set was created with great attention to the historical accuracy of its representations. All pieces, including the pawns, represent distinct historical figures, with the only exception being the rooks. The fine pewter, an excellent material for achieving high-end finishes, allowed for the application of sophisticated and realistic details.
The case is made of wood, and its chessboard, which blends white and blue in its composition, is enhanced with pewter. Decorative motifs are present on the borders of the squares. The case allows the pieces to be stored inside in individual compartments.
It measures 34.5 x 34.5 x 7 cm
The king stands 6.6 cm tall and the pawns approximately 4 cm.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Franklin Mint Chess Set - Gold and Silver - The Battle of Waterloo
This is the Gold and Silver version of the Battle of Waterloo model. A deluxe edition of the classic Waterloo model, which sold very few copies and is very hard to find. The Battle of Waterloo model was created in 1984 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the famous battle. It was only available via subscription from Franklin Mint. In this special edition, the pewter pieces and the board are enhanced with 24-carat gold and silver. The board measures 37.7 x 37.7 x 8 cm. King measures 5.6 cm
The set was designed by artist Philip J. Haythornthwaite, before being hand-crafted by the goldsmiths at Franklin Mint. The set comes complete with its original papers, including certificate of authenticity, piece identification leaflets, individual descriptive sheets for each piece (detailing the military corps represented). The case is a very imposing piece, richly decorated with gold plating on the feet and borders. The checkerboard is also enhanced with gold and silver and decorated with key battle locations.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Franklin Mint Chess Set - The Conquest of Liberty
The set was produced in collaboration with the French Revolution Museum by the medalist Franklin Mint in 1988 to commemorate the bicentenary of the French Revolution. The pieces are made of pewter and enhanced with genuine gold and silver. Each piece was individually handcrafted by the goldsmiths at Franklin Mint. In this game, the king is represented by Robespierre the incorruptible, the queen is a representation of Marianne, the bishops are Mirabeau and Danton, the knights are La Fayette and Bonaparte, and the rooks represent the storming of the Bastille. The pawns represent the “sans culottes”, the soldiers of the National Guard and the grenadiers.
The pewter pieces are very detailed and sophisticated. The case is made of mahogany wood and its checkerboard is enhanced with pewter. It features decorative inscriptions. The box provides individual storage compartments for the pieces inside. It measures 37.2 x 37.2 x 9 cm. The tallest piece measures 7 cm, all pieces are felted.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Franklin Mint Turnament at Camelot Medieval chess set – Pewter Gold and Silver
A particularly refined and luxurious chess set. This is a set of medieval-themed chess pieces. They are made of 900/1000 pewter and plated with gold and silver. The pieces are hallmarked on the underside of their base in a rectangle cut out in the middle of their felt. The pieces are heavy: the horsemen, for example, weigh 164 grams. With their spears, they are also the tallest pieces of the set. The tallest knight measures 9.7 cm. The widest base measures 3.4 cm.
Fine pewter is an ideal material for applying sophisticated finishes. The ones on this set are breathtaking, the refinement and number of details is very impressive. The work on the knights in particular, but also on the faces and costumes. Even the pawns are remarkable.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
industrial arts
Industrial Arts chess set with pedestal board
Industrial Arts chess set with pedestal board
A metal chess set in the Industrial Arts style.
This one is more elaborate and visually striking than those usually encountered; it features a beautiful pedestal marquetry wooden board and a reflective gilded metal board. Note also the original shape of the knights, designed like hooks.
The board measures 40 x 40 x 6.3 cm
The king measures 7 cm
The pieces are felted.
This set was made in 1980 at the Peugeot factory in Poissy using automotive manufacturing parts. It is a rather original piece.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Chess set made of cast brass and aluminum
What is interessing about this set is that it was created as a study project by students. It was made in the mechanical and industrial engineering department at IUT Le Man. The set has a fairly modern design. It is quite flashy in terms of its materials but sober when it comes to the design of the pieces. One of its amusing features is the noticeable difference in weight between the aluminum pieces and the brass pieces. Depending on which side you decide to play with, you will have a very different experience from your opponent. There are also small imperfections and clumsy touches in the craftsmanship, notably on the underside of the pieces, which are different from each other. The pieces come with a black and white reflective PVC board. The more light there is on the board, the more animated the play of light becomes. The king measures 8.9 cm with a base of 3.1 cm. The board measures 45 cm.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
miscellaneous
Étains du Prince Chess Set
Étains du Prince Chess Set
A chess set manufactured by the French company “Les Étains du Prince”.
With its original box and foam inserts for storing the pieces.
The king stands 9.6 cm tall with a 2.8 cm base.
The box measures 31 x 31 x 7.5 cm. The entire set weighs 3.2 kilograms.
The distinctive feature of Étains du Prince is that their objects are made from an alloy composed of 95% pewter. This alloy has been patented since 1909; its properties give this set its unique appearance and have allowed for the application of sophisticated finishes.
The set features magnificent figures from Napoleon’s army, meticulously recreated in every detail with both aesthetic and historical precision.
All pieces have been signed on the back by Bachet, in reference to René and Maryvonne Bachet, the founders of Les Étains du Prince.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Christian vs. Muslim chess set
The pieces are made of metal and the board is made of wood. The box is made of resin. The game was created based on the theme of El Cid and represents a clash between the Moorish Muslims and Christians in Andalusia. It was manufactured in Spain by the company Ajedrez. The silver pieces represent the Christians and the copper pieces represent the Muslims. The board measures 46 x 46 x 7 cm and is quite imposing with its height and bas-reliefs on the edges. The king measures 8.3 cm and the pawns 6.5 cm. The set weighs 3.8 kg. The pieces are nicely finished and feature colorful shields. The case is decorated with various war-themed motifs and depicts period visions of Spanish clashes and intrigues during the Islamic period.