Description
Beautifully crafted from boxwood. Convincing ebonised chessmen. Superb detail and high-quality finish. Broad felted bases. 3.5-inch (8.89 cm) king. Perfectly weighted. Suitable for use with boards from 18 inches (45.7 cm) or larger. A compact take on a historic design, the 3.5-inch JJ Cooke Ebonised Chess Pieces offer classic Staunton style with fine detailing and a rich, dark finish. On March 1, 1849, Nathaniel Cooke of 198 Strand, London, officially registered design number 58,607-an “ornamental design for a set of chess-men”-under the British Ornamental Designs Act of 1842. This marked the official introduction of the Staunton Chessmen. Cooke then licensed the manufacturing rights to John Jaques of London, a renowned firm of wood and ivory turners established in 1795, which continues to operate today. The earliest Staunton chess sets are known as the “Cooke” design. Expertly crafted with intricate details and a flawless finish, these Reproduction JJ Cooke Chessmen feature a 3.5-inch king, handcrafted from high-quality boxwood by a distinguished chess workshop responsible for producing some of the world’s finest chess pieces. Skilled artisans meticulously shape each piece by first turning solid wood before carefully hand-carving the intricate details. The king stands as a commanding presence, while the entire set is weighted for perfect balance. Each piece is fitted with a billiard cloth-covered base to protect the board. The deep, rich appearance of the darker pieces is achieved through an expert ebonisation process, giving them the elegance and feel of ebony, without the high cost, making this an exquisite yet affordable set for collectors and players alike. Due to the king’s height and broad base, these beautiful chess pieces pair best with boards from 18 inch or larger. These chessmen do not include a long-term storage case; however, if this is required, please check out our range of chess piece cases.