British Birds chess pieces

£199.00

This set is based on illustrations in the Book of American Birds, of birds native to the British Isles, as well as the US. The first edition of this 19th century priceless tome can be found in the British Natural History Museum. (Whether a peacock is native to Britain or an import from Asia is a moot point, as is whether you should use a male bird as a Queen in a chess set!)

*For the Blade Runner prop accurate set, please see here*

We recommend playing these pieces on a, 18 - 21" board. (Board not included.) 

Key figures:

  • The king is represented by the golden eagle, a native of the Scottish Highlands, chained and sitting on a crown (~4.75”/12cm)
  • The queen is a peacock(!) (~5.5”/13.5cm)
  • The bishop is a horned owl, perched on a be-ribboned bishop’s mitre (~4”/10cm)
  • The knight is a peregrine falcon, hooded and perched on a gauntlet (~5”/12.5cm)
  • The rook is a raven, perched on a castellated tower (~3.5”/9cm)
  • The pawn is on one side a wren, perched on a tree branch (~3”/7cm), on the other a kingfisher.

Made from cold-cast powdered marble and resin in Somerset.

 

Due to being a hand painted artisan product, every set will be unique and your set will vary slightly in colour from the pictures on our website.

These playing pieces look beautiful on our traditional wood boards. A board is not included but we have pictured this set on an 18" Campion board (sold separately).