The House of Staunton is proud to offer the Vizagapatam Bone Chess Set!  

About The Chess Pieces

This chess set was carved in the style of sets made in the late 1700s and later in the Vizagapatam region of India by the East India John Company. These Chessmen were always elaborately carved. The East India Company was established in Vizagapatam around 1670. In the early 18th Century, a furniture manufacturing industry developed in the region. Specialties included inlay, carving and turning work with Sandalwood, rosewood and Tortoise shell. By the early 19th century, Buffalo and Elk horn were added to the artisan materials. By the beginning of the 19th century, elaborately carved and turned bone chess sets such as this one, were being produced for sale on the very lucrative European market.

Vizagapatam is the largest city, both in terms of area and population, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is nestled between the Eastern Ghats mountain range and the Bay of Bengal, and is often known as The Jewel of the East Coast, The City of Destiny and the Goa of the East Coast. 

Vizagapatam’s (locally Visakhapatnam) history stretches back to the 6th century. Archaeological records suggest that the present city was built around the 11th and 12th centuries. Conquered by the Mughals in the 16th century, European powers eventually set up trading interests in the city, and by the end of the 18th century it had come under French rule. Control passed to the British in 1804 and it remained under British colonial rule until India’s independence in 1947.

Exquisitely detailed from hand-carved Camel bone, the design of this set dates from Indian artisans of the 19th century.   The King towers over the board at an immense 6.1 inches tall, yet only has a small 1.6-inch footprint, making it ideal for a wide range of boards. The natural weight and beauty of bone makes this a very robust set, and is sure to become the hallmark of your collection!

THESE ARE ACTUAL HAND CARVED BONE CHESSMEN