Description
Medieval Style Bea Bumble Acrylic Chessmen.
Offered here is a rather unusual set of Medieval Style Bea Bumble Chessmen. The pieces are fashioned after a well-known mid-15th century chess set excavated in Russia. It is one of the earliest known examples of a turned set of chessmen. These Medieval Style Bea Bumble Acrylic Chessmen are an adaptation of the famous set designed by Italian turner and carver Baldassarre Embriachi and illustrated in The Art of Chess by Colleen Schafroth. The tallest piece stands 4-0” tall with a 1-1/4″ diameter base. The chess pieces are crafted from black acrylic block with red and yellow inserts. (The set might be considered the Bumblebees vs. the Ladybugs!) The most striking of this set of Chessmen, aside from the striking colors, are the Rooks and the Bishops. The Rooks appear as stylized symbols of the mythical Phoenix. The bishops have a rather stout appearance, much like the Staunton Rook, but the grooves in the head are definitely not representative of the crenellations of a Staunton Rook, but rather the bishop’s miter.
The chess pieces are in as new condition. The chessboard shown here is not included, but a suitable board is available elsewhere on this site. These chessmen are a 20th century reproduction of a well-known 15th century abstract design.
Many theories have been brought forward as to the origin of elaborate Rook design or what it represents. The particular Rook design has been associated with the Mythical Phoenix. Many different theories have been brought forward on the genesis of this design.
