Front view of a knight, from the Lewis Chesspieces

Add to album

This is one of 15 knights known to have been amongst a hoard of around 80 chesspieces found in the winter of 1830-1 at Uig Bay on Lewis. The walrus ivory pieces were made in Iceland or Norway in the second half of the 12th century. The group is known as 'The Lewis Chessmen.'

The photograph shows the front of the piece. The knight is mounted on a stocky pony and armed with a spear, sword and shield. To make the piece more robust, the shaft of the spear is much shorter than it would have been in real life.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-001-124-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.NS 27
• Date: Late 12th century
  Second half of the 12th century
  
• Material: Walrus ivory
  Chessman
  
• Dimensions: 60 - 100 mm H
  
• What: Chessman
  
• Subject: Sports (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ross and Cromarty, Lewis, Uig
  
• Event:
• Description: Chesspiece of walrus ivory, a knight, found in an underground chamber in the parish of Uig, Lewis in 1831: Scandinavian in origin, late 12th century
  
• References:
  • 'The Lewis Chesspieces' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Taylor, M. The Lewis Chessmen. London: British Museum Press, 1978 
• Translations:
• Related Records: