Description
Charles Martel Commemorative Chess Set
Offered here is a set of Charles Martel inspired chessmen, an early Medieval Brutalist chess set design. The form of the chess pieces resembles the famous Charles Martel design which were and brought to life by renowned painter and sculptor Richard L. Synek in his Manhattan foundry. The original set was created as a dedication to the élan of Charles Martel, prince of the Franks, who defeated the Moslems at Tours, 732 AD. The Pieces are hand cast of solid metal, with bronze and nickel for the contrasting sides. The chess pieces have a rustic surface and a heavy feel. The King measured 3-3/4″ tall with a 1-1/4″ square base. These pieces play and display best on a chessboard with 2″ squares. The chessboard shown is not included, but a suitable chessboard can be found here.
Some History.
The Charles Martel Commemorative chess set, rife with medieval symbolism, was dedicated to Charles Martel, a nobleman who held the position of Mayor of the Palace, an officer of the king’s court and an experienced warrior of the Franks (French) He is renowned for having defeated the invading Saracens in the battle of Tours and Poitier in southern France, in October of 732A.D.*Having defeated the Saracens, Charles Martel was considered the great champion of Christianity and to the day of his death in 741A.D. he was in reality, though not in name, the king of the Franks.*excerpts taken from “Famous Men of the Middle Ages “
About Richard Synek
SYNEK-Richard L. Native of NYC, passed away on August 20, 2014 in Clearwater, FL. A pioneer of sail sculpture, he is well known for his work in oil painting & metals, including renowned chess sets which he produced in his Manhattan foundry.
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