This is my favorite treasure in the British Museum: the Lewis Chesspeople. Perhaps made in Norway, about AD 1150-1200, and found on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, the chess pieces consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales' teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, and standing warders and pawns. We know almost nothing about their discovery. Here's a queen.
From The Teachings of Silvanus: "Do not be a sausage which is full of useless things."
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
This is my favorite treasure in the British Museum: the Lewis Chesspeople. Perhaps made in Norway, about AD 1150-1200, and found on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, the chess pieces consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales' teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, and standing warders and pawns. We know almost nothing about their discovery. Here's a queen.
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2 comments:
Oh, those are awesome!
Way cool.
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