Description
Vintage John Biccard Lewis Style Chessmen.
Offered here is an extremely rare set of vintage John Biccard Lewis Style chessmen. The king stands 3-1/8″ tall, with a 1-1/2″ base. Biccard’s chess sets were produced in limited quantities as part of his broader line of collectible figurines, often themed around fantasy or historical elements with a playful twist. His pieces, including chess sets, are known for their whimsical, hand-carved designs featuring exaggerated, expressive figures with intricate details like flowing robes, facial expressions, and symbolic motifs such as the fleur-de-lis seen on several pieces. Biccard’s signature material was a crushed marble composite—marble dust impregnated with resin—which gives the sculptures a solid, stone-like feel and appearance while allowing for detailed carving. Production of John Biccard Lewis Style Chessmen ceased around 1999, making them increasingly rare and sought after by collectors.
The chess pieces are in excellent condition, and are quite durable, as you can see in the video. These sets were typically sold without boards, Consequently, the Spanish chessboard shown is not included with this sale. However, a wide variety of suitable chessboards can be found here. These John Biccard Lewis Style Chessmen were likely produced around 1975, although an exact date can’t be verified.
History/
John Biccard (1941–2006) was a South African sculptor and artist based in Cape Town. Born John Henry Burnwood on February 6, 1941, he was raised on a farm in the Cape winelands, educated at Diocesan College (Bishops) and the University of Cape Town, and later studied at Cambridge in England while traveling extensively through Europe and the Mediterranean.
Biccard is best known for his “Biccard Marbles”—whimsical, hand-finished sculptures made from a crushed marble and resin composite. Produced from the early 1970s until production ceased in 1999, his charming, humorous pieces include animal caricatures, historical figures (such as Lawrence of Arabia and Napoleon), literary-inspired characters, and notable chess sets like Chessablanca. His Euro-centric designs blend realism, fantasy, and wit, drawing from his travels, love of classical music, literature, and observations of human-animal similarities.
Sold in select South African venues including Table Mountain shops, Sun City, and Johannesburg galleries, Biccard’s limited-edition works have become highly sought-after collectibles, prized for their intricate detail and enduring quality. A private individual, he also authored books and created graphic designs before passing away in 2006.
