I agree. Wonderful detail in the carving, looking a lot like the Elgin marble.
Good days and Good Knights
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If the Elgin marbles were the inspiration for the original Staunton knight design, then I'd have to say that the HOS Camaratta knight probably comes closest to that ideal, as it accurately captures the articulation of the mouth, position of the ears, the curved jaw line, the flaired nostrils and the double spiked mane.
I have seen some pretty hilarious knight pieces. I don't like a horsehead that looks like it's laughing or one that shows too much teeth. I don't like a horse that looks too effeminate or disinterested in the battle. On some the lips are completely closed (Nottingham, among others) and on some the nostrils/lips area looks like a camel. One horse I laughed at at first but grew to like is with the economy Staunton set in Shesham/Boxwood with 3.8" King from ChessBazaar. At first I thought, 'Damn, who shaved that horse into a FlatTop??!?' 
But after looking longer I realized it showed a real battle-ready expression and looks like it might be a little angry at the other pieces. Though its structure is basic and angular I think it shows raw nobility and the design works well for me. 
Not sure if this is the right forum for this but if anyone appreciates a little poetic aside about the horse's nobility, I found this gem of a few verses while browsing through the book of Job in the Bible.
Job 39:19-25 New International Version (NIV)
19 “Do you give the horse its strength
or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make it leap like a locust,
striking terror with its proud snorting?
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,
and charges into the fray.
22 It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
it does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against its side,
along with the flashing spear and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.
25 At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’
It catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
War horses properly trained will do their duty until Death.! A sad comentary of a magnificent creature.
A collection of fierce knights:
And the fiercest of them all -- a dead Zebra.
That St George knight has teeth like Alien.
loubalch wrote:
Truth is, I was never that fond of the original Jaques knights. I always thought they looked a bit misshapen and not all that attractive. When you look at the pictures below you have to squint real hard before you see something that even remotely resembles the head of a horse.
While I agree that the quality of knights in the Jaques sets went down and that some are not that attractive, I can't believe that you put up that HoS Nottingham knight as an example of a more realistic knight. It's horrible!
andy277 wrote:
loubalch wrote:
Truth is, I was never that fond of the original Jaques knights. I always thought they looked a bit misshapen and not all that attractive. When you look at the pictures below you have to squint real hard before you see something that even remotely resembles the head of a horse.
While I agree that the quality of knights in the Jaques sets went down and that some are not that attractive, I can't believe that you put up that HoS Nottingham knight as an example of a more realistic knight. It's horrible!
Sorry to disagree, The HOS Nottingham Knight is a classic!! Lou, keep on posting those gorgeous Knights
andy277 wrote:
While I agree that the quality of knights in the Jaques sets went down and that some are not that attractive, I can't believe that you put up that HoS Nottingham knight as an example of a more realistic knight. It's horrible!
I agree, the original picture of the Nottingham knight isn't very flattering. This may not change your opinion, but here's a better picture. The images were small and don't look as good when blown up too large. He's not a fierce knight, but I find him to have a regal bearing.
It was patterned after the British Chess Co. Imperial knight of the early 1890s.
FrankHelwig wrote:
Frank, what's the king height of your Chavet set? Chavet sets were used quite extensively during the 1990s in International tournaments. And from pictures of the Anand - Kasparov matches in the 90s it looks like the Chavet set was also used. Kings appear to be 3.75" or maybe 4" in height. I wonder why Chavet sets don't show up more often on Ebay?
Her's a video link to a 1996 blitz game betwen Anand and Kasparov using a Chavet set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxbMzZ5a2Zg
loubalch wrote:
I agree, the original picture of the Nottingham knight isn't very flattering. This may not change your opinion, but here's a better picture. The images were small and don't look as good when blown up too large. He's not a fierce knight, but I find him to have a regal bearing.
No, sorry, it doesn't change my opinion. I actually like the original BCC knights, but as with most of the HoS copies, it has lost something in the translation, in my opinion. Given that the Indian carvers are capable of very good carving, I don't understand why the copies have such obvious differences. This latest picture highlights the chipmunk like cheeks and the oversize lips are still prominent. I just can't see that knight as being more equine than the Jaques knights you dislike.
Not to get off topic but I came accross this BCC set and I hope this is what Alan is working on or something similar to it. I am guessing by the delay of the 1849 to be followed by the 3 1/2" the BCC 4" won't be available till next fall but that is my guess.
http://www.crumiller.com/chess/chess_pages/staunton/BCC_set.htm
wiscmike wrote:
Not to get off topic but I came accross this BCC set and I hope this is what Alan is working on or something similar to it. I am guessing by the delay of the 1849 to be followed by the 3 1/2" the BCC 4" won't be available till next fall but that is my guess.
http://www.crumiller.com/chess/chess_pages/staunton/BCC_set.htm
Thanks mike for the pic. But I'm hoping they make replicas of the this set:
Here's is a BCC 1891 Imperial set, in fabulous condition, that sold on eBay last week for $1400! Drool, Drool. Unfortunately, it was too rich for my wallet.
Hi Mike, They all look great to me. BCC made some mighty fine sets. I believe Alan already gave the prelims to Vik so he should be able to post what it will look like on here.
Lou that is a great looking set. One of the nicest sets I have seen in ages, and wow the condition of it is just stunning.
I would buy all 3 BCC sets if they were replicated and spaced a few months in between so I can save up. 
goodknightmike wrote:
FrankHelwig wrote:
Frank, what's the king height of your Chavet set? Chavet sets were used quite extensively during the 1990s in International tournaments. And from pictures of the Anand - Kasparov matches in the 90s it looks like the Chavet set was also used. Kings appear to be 3.75" or maybe 4" in height. I wonder why Chavet sets don't show up more often on Ebay?
Her's a video link to a 1996 blitz game betwen Anand and Kasparov using a Chavet set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxbMzZ5a2Zg
The largest size Chavet produces is between 3.5" and 3.75" (I'm away from home right now and can't measure - but I believe the precise size on this set is 92mm).
Yes, they were used extensively in tournaments before DGT took over. The 1990 World Championship between Kasparov and Karpov in Lyon used a Chavet set.
I'm not sure why Chavet sets don't appear more frequently on eBay. It's a shame, because they are truly lovely and very playable sets, and I much prefer them over the more ornamental designs that make up so much of the offerings in the "luxury/heirloom" retail category...
I really like those knights in post #30. Very nice.