The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked

80 pages. 100 color illustrations. Hardcover. Publisher's description: The Lewis Chessmen are 78—12th century chess pieces, or Uig Chessmen (after their find-site) of mainly walrus ivory and some of whale teeth— from a spectacular archaeological discovery on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. One of the few complete sets surviving of the medieval game popular among the aristocracy of the Middle Ages, it is believed the detailed and often humorous sculptures of human figures were made by Norse craftsmen from Trondheim, the city where similar pieces have been found (Norway ruled the area at the time). Some mishap may have occurred in transport to wealthy Norse settlements on Ireland's east coast. In all, 93 artifacts were uncovered, including eight kings and queens, 16 bishops, 15 knights, 12 rooks, and 19 pawns. At the time of discovery, some bore traces of red stain—perhaps stating that red and white rather than today's black and white distinguished the two sides. This publication accompanies a touring exhibition of 30 chessmen from the collections within the British Museum and the National Museums of Scotland, and looks at the mystery and intrigue surrounding the figures, explores their discovery and shows how the characters reflected society of their time.