Anri
Anri Toriart Charlemagne model colored chess set
Anri Toriart Charlemagne model colored chess set
This collector’s set was manufactured by Anri Toriart in Italy at the end of the 20th century.
The pieces come with their original board and box, which contains two storage trays to hold each piece.
The king stands 9 cm tall and its base is 2.7 cm wide. The pawns are 6 cm tall.
The board measures 43.8 x 43.8 x 1.2 cm
The pieces were crafted using a composite material invented by Anri called “sculptite.” It consists of resin mixed with wood sawdust.
The pieces were then meticulously painted one by one by hand. They are mounted on turned maple wood bases with felt bottoms.
A highly artistic model with an original design.
With their rounded shapes and the touches of bright colors that decorate them, these pieces manage to evoke a childlike universe despite their sophistication. In this way, they differ from the seriousness and heaviness generally encountered in the world of valuable chess pieces, which emphasize very adult dimensions such as gravity, abstraction, or nobility.
The designer of this set did not forget that it is also a toy and incorporated this dimension into the composition.
Looking at Anri’s Charlemagne set, one has the impression of looking at a toy from an ancient and bygone era that might have been designed for a young Prince.
Write / view comments
Anri Toriart Charlemagne black and white chess pieces
This is the same model as the one presented above. Only this one is not painted; it is the plain black and white. The king is 9.2 cm tall and the base is 2.7 cm wide. The pawns are 6.2 cm tall. The original Anri Toriart labels can still be found under the felt on the pieces.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
nigri
Nigri Chinese Imperial Chess Set
Nigri Chinese Imperial Chess Set
Nigri chess set themed around the Chinese imperial dynasties. It is a fairly large model.
The king is 11.3 cm and the pawns 8 cm.
The case measures 49 x 49 x 5.5 cm.
The board measures 46 x 46 cm.
Composed of 32 pieces made with resin and marble powder from the Carrara quarries.
Each piece is finished and hand-painted by master craftsmen. The entire manufacturing process takes place in Italy, in the province of Lucca.
The Nigri signature is present on the back of the king.
The varnish and paint on this set give it a different look from the usual Nigri sets; the pieces almost resemble ceramic.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Nigri Battle of Waterloo Chess Set
Nigri chess pieces based on the Battle of Waterloo between Napoleon and Wellington’s British troops. They faithfully reproduce the costumes and equipment of the period. In their original box with protective plastic covers. The set includes 32 chess pieces + 2 extra queens. There are several models of Nigri pieces in wooden boxes on historical themes, some of which you will see in this section. The 34 pieces are made with Carrara marble powder and the words “hand carved” are inscribed on the underside of each piece. They are also signed by Nigri. This Nigri box is larger than most of the brand’s other models, with the king measuring 11.6 cm and a base of 3.6 cm. The Napoleon model is also rarer than the other nigri cases. The case measures 40.5 x 24.7 x 8.3 cm.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Nigri Chess Set Battle of Châlons-sur-Marne
A Nigri box set based on the theme of the Battle of Châlons-sur-Marne, in their original box with protective plastic covers and description leaflet. The set includes 32 chess pieces + 2 extra queens. The pieces are made of resin and marble powder and are signed by Nigri. The king measures 11 cm and its base is 3.5 cm wide. The pawns are 8 cm high. The wooden case measures 40 x 24 x 8 cm. The set was designed around the theme of the historic Battle of Châlons-sur-Marne, which pitted General Flavius Aetius against the barbarian leader Attila.
Here is a translation of the presentation paper that came with the set. In June 451 AD, the Roman army, led by General Flavius Aetius, defeated Attila, leader of the Huns, nicknamed the “Scourge of God,” in the memorable Battle of Châlons sur Marne, considered one of the most important battles in world history. In 452, Attila descended into Italy and sacked the Pô Valley. His intention was to reach and occupy Rome, but Pope Leo I met with him and convinced him to retreat across the Danube. Attila thus crossed the Alps again, but the following year he died suddenly and inexplicably during the banquet celebrating his marriage to Hilda.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Nigri Chess Set: Battle of Camelot
Another Nigri chess case based on a historic battle. This one was created around the theme of the legend of King Arthur and the Battle of Camelot. It features characters from ancient mythology, in which Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, created the Kingdom of Camelot based on pure and noble ideals. It is also made of resin and marble powder. The pieces are felted and signed.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
asian theme
Giant Chess Set - Imperial Japanese Dynasties
Giant Chess Set – Imperial Japanese Dynasties
This chess set is of a very large size and great finesse.
The king measures 22.3 cm with a 6.4 cm base. The pawns measure 12 cm with 5.2 cm bases.
The set is not only large but highly detailed and sophisticated. The pieces were designed on the theme of Imperial Japan. They were crafted from a blend of resin and stone powder, and fixed onto purple-colored wooden bases.
The pieces represent figures from Imperial Japan, including the emperor, dressed in traditional Sokutai and wearing a kanmuri. He is accompanied by his wife, war advisors, knights, and ancient rooks.
One will notice the complexity and richness of the costumes and facial expressions, particularly those of the emperor and empress. The highly aesthetic design of the horses and the elaborate pose of the knights riding them.
It appears to have been made in Greece by “The Pegasus Workshop of Statue Art.” The information is not completely verifiable as the set is not stamped.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Imperial China themed chess set
A chess set made of resin and stone powder, based on the theme of Chinese imperial dynastic wars. Many similar resin sets with imitation leather boards were produced in Italy on this theme a few decades ago. There are a great number of variations, but they all share the same general characteristics. This one has a wooden frame, which may have been added later to replace the original frame.
The imitation leather board measures 46 x 46 cm, the entire box measures 48 x 48 cm and contains storage spaces for the pieces. The king is 10.5 cm tall and its base is 4 cm wide. The pawns are 7.5 cm tall. The set weighs 4.9 kg. The pieces are relatively detailed, and the small pawns each have their own designs. The coral and cream colors of the pieces blends pretty well with the shades of the imitation leather board.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Kama Sutra erotic chess set
An erotic chess set inspired by depictions from the Kama Sutra. The pieces represent naked figures in a variety of sexual positions. The pawns are erect penises. They are made of an alloy of stone powder and resin (polystone), and the material is surprisingly pleasant to the touch, almost erogenous, some might say. The set is large, with the king measuring 13 cm and the pawns 6,5 cm. Erotic chess sets are quite rare in my experience. This one is rather elaborated and an interesting piece.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
egyptian theme
Veronese chess set – Ancient Egypt theme
Veronese chess set – Ancient Egypt theme
A Veronese chess set with pieces made from stone powder and resin, hand-painted with a niceattention to detail.
The words “hand-painted” appear on the game’s storage box.
The pieces go with a wooden board with polished and varnished edges.
The set was designed with an Ancient Egypt theme and features figures from the Egyptian pantheon.
The king measures 8.5 cm. The pieces are felted.
The board measures 39.5 x 39.5 cm.
The shapes and colors are very harmonious, as is the interplay of colors between the pieces and the board.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Chess set - Ancient Egypt theme
Another ancient Egypt themed chess set. This one has a nice elevated marquetry board with finishes and mosaics in walnut, rosewood, and lemon wood. The pieces are made from stone powder and resin. The set represents a battle between the Egyptians and the Romans. The pieces are hand-painted and felted. The tallest piece measures 8.6 cm high, and the board measures 40 x 40 cm.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Anne Carlton Ancient Egypt Chess Set
A cream and brown chess set made using an Anne Carlton mold. The pieces are made of crushed stone and resin, and the board of wood. The board measures 42 x 42 cm. The king is 12.5 cm high and its base is 3.7 cm. The pawns measure 7.6 cm. The pieces are felted. The design of the pieces is quite sophisticated, exuding a certain charm and a slightly mystical aura, which will appeal to lovers of Orientalism.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
european theme
Chess set made in resin, wood and glass - Battle of Waterloo
Chess set made in resin, wood and glass – Battle of Waterloo
A very original and rather boldly crafted set.
It depicts a fairly classic theme: the Battle of Waterloo and the confrontation between Napoleon and Wellington’s British troops. With Napoleon Bonaparte accompanied by his wife Josephine facing Arthur Wellesley of Wellington and his wife, Duchess Catherine Wellesley.
But despite its relatively common theme the game is very original in his design and composition.
The pieces are made entirely of resin, including their bases, which give the impression of being made of metal but are actually painted resin.
The board has a wooden frame covered in gilding and decorated with carved motifs on its outline.
Its checkerboard is green and white, and a glass plate is affixed to it.
The board measures 46.5 x 46.5 x 4 cm.
The king is 11.7 cm high.
The richness of the colors with the board and the outfits of the characters, their reflections on the glass plate, as well as the depth between the frame of the board, the patterns that dot it and the pieces on its checkerboard create a strong visual impression when looking at the game. Note that the pieces of the two sets are different from each other.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Greek Mythology chess set
A large chess set with a Greek mythology theme. The pieces are made from a mixture of stone powder and resin. The set is pretty large, with the king measuring 16.3 cm. All the pieces are felted. The pieces are quite detailed, the size of the set and the ancient theme it was made on give it an air of majesty.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Isle of Lewis resin chess set
The pieces are made from marble powder and resin (polystone). They are heavy, pleasant to the touch, and have a nice stone-like appearance thanks to their marble-based composition. The king is 9 cm tall and its base is 4.8 cm wide. The Isle of Lewis chess pieces are one of the most original and iconic designs in the world of chess. The original pieces were discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. They were made in Norway in the 12th century and are now kept in London at the British Museum.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Large Italian resin chess set
An interesting, large resin chess set, its shape is likely inspired by the Finnish style. The board measures 59 x 59 cm, the king is 16 cm tall and the pawns are 7 cm tall. It was made in Italy and the pieces are stamped “hand made.” The storage case is the typical imitation leather box that is often found with Italian resin sets. This fad for Italian resin sets with imitation leather boards dates back to the late 20th century. The pieces have a slender appearance, they are a little rough around the edges but still quite elegant. An original design.
Write / view comments
Leave a Reply
Napoleon Bonaparte Resin Chess Set
Another resin set with a Napoleonic Wars theme. This one is made of stone powder and resin. The king measures 14.5 cm high with a 4.4 cm wide base. The pawns measure 11 cm. They were made here in France and still have their original box with their original stamp.
In the set, Napoleon Bonaparte acts as king, Marianne, symbol of the French Republic, acts as queen, and the rest of the pieces represent officers and elements of the French army. The pieces are large, colored in beige and brown with many details and finishes.