CHESS SET

Our Mouse Chess Set is now in production and available to order from our stockists.
The set is modelled by Alan Pepper and painted by Natasha Chapman-Cox. 
The game of chess, from old French esches, was introduced to the world at least as early as the 2nd century AD.
They say that there are more variations of play than atoms in the universe.
Our influences have been diverse but the Lewis Chessmen, one of our greatest national treasures, has inspired Alan particularly for the exquisite carving of the thrones. Of the ninety-three 12th century Norse pieces discovered on the Isle of Lewis, in about 1830, eighty-two are on display in the British Museum.
As they are mice our characters are humorous but we have followed the ritual, although our Bishop’s sandals may be an original idea that takes us back to the 12th century and makes you smile. The characteristics and traditions of chess pieces have always had a freedom of expression usually relating to the culture and art of the country of origin. Ours are decidedly European and the choice of mice is distinctly influenced by the great George Tinworth whose Doulton mice became his trademark. Every potter should make a chess set – to be practical is the problem. Wedgwood’s iconic Flaxman set is a classic while my favourite, the Martin Brothers set was totally impractical to manufacture.