Description
Antique Library Size Dublin Chessmen.
Offered here is a set of Antique Library Size Dublin Chessmen, crafted from English Boxwood and Ebony. The King stands 2-7/8″ tall with a 1-0″ diameter base. The Dublin Chessmen are unweighted and unfelted, as was typical for Playing sets from this period. The pieces are masterfully carved and have developed a rather pleasing honey-hue. The pieces are housed in a rather pedestrian hinge-top box, lacking its sliding top. This style of chessmen was used in the early and mid-Victorian Period and most likely dates from the late 1830s. The antique chessboard shown in the image is not included in this offering but can be purchased separately elsewhere on this website. Click here to view our extensive selection of new and antique chessboards and game timers.
A Bit of History.
The Dublin Chessmen fall into the ubiquitous category often referred to as English Playing sets, which also included the Saint George, Northern Upright, Lund and Calvert patterns. The English Playing sets were ultimately supplanted by the Staunton chessmen which were introduced to the public in September of 1849. The Dublin Chessmen were likely designed for the Dublin Chess Club in the late 1830s. Similar sets of chessmen were made by Dixon, Thomas and William Lund, and John Calvert as well as George Merrifield and John Jaques, among others. This particular design is based on the Northern Upright sets manufactured by the Firm of John Jaques. An image of the Dublin Chessmen from a page in their 1860 Pattern Book is shown here.
