The Lewis chess pieces, c. late 12th – early 13th century AD. Found in 1831, on a beach at Uig, Lewis, Scotland. Made in Probably Trondheim, Norway. Made from Walrus ivory and sperm whale tooth. Height: 60-100mm. National Museum of Scotland.
The Lewis Chessmen represent one of the most significant and intriguing archaeological finds related to medieval board games. Discovered in the early 19th century, these ornate game pieces provide a window into the art, culture, and leisure of medieval Northern Europe.
The Lewis Chessmen were unearthed in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Found beneath a sand dune near Uig, the hoard included a collection of 93 objects, predominantly chess pieces, with a few pieces used for other games such as tables (an early form of backgammon) and hnefatafl, a Norse board game.
Made predominantly from walrus ivory and some whale teeth, these game pieces are beautifully carved and exquisitely detailed. The chess pieces can be categorized into several distinct figures:
Kings: Seated on thrones, holding swords or orbs.
Queens: The most contemplative of the figures, they're often seen with their hand to their cheek.
Bishops: Shown in ecclesiastical garb, unmistakably representing their spiritual status.
Knights: Riding horses and bearing shields and spears.
Rooks: These are perhaps the most intriguing. Instead of the castles common to modern chess sets, these figures are standing warriors, some of whom appear to be biting the tops of their shields – a representation often linked to the berserkers of Norse legend.
Pawns: These are obelisk-shaped, less detailed than the other figures but still distinct.
"As I turn 89, I’m sitting alone in a retirement home with a plate of ravioli in front of me. I don’t know who made them, and I don’t know if anyone will remember my birthday.
I have three children. I haven’t seen them in a long time. They brought me here, saying it was for my own good, but as the days pass, the phone stays silent. No calls, no visits.
I’m not angry—just sad. Sad because, no matter how much time has gone by, I never stopped loving them. Sad because I don’t ask for much—just a hug, a kind word, a simple “Happy Birthday, Dad.”
I just wish someone would remember me.
At my age, you live on memories and hope. And today, my hope is that this message reaches those who have forgotten the importance of love and family—before it’s too late."
To all the fathers and grandfathers left alone, you are loved—even if sometimes, no one says it.
Lewis chessmen in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
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