Best Chess Set Design Ever?

I think one of the main ways in which the modern sets differ from the old sets is the pawns - the newer pawns are larger, have fatter collars are the tops are not round. The down side of the old pawns is that they are a lot more delicate, of course. Here is a picture to show the difference, both these pawns are from similar sized sets - a King and pawn from an the old Jaques set on the left, and from a modern set on the right:

Also, you sometimes get to see the grain in the ebony on old sets (hopefully you can see this in the old pawn above), I haven't seen this on modern sets 

One of my biggest gripes is that the knights in newer sets/reproductions tend to be overworked with deep gouges in the horses body as opposed to the gentle undulations of the originals. That and the fact that the knights bodies are too fat for the bases in many cases, unlike the original slimmer knights.

Nice set Matt ,

Thank's   

Its seem's that the leaning  king is quite common !

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/100450293480257053343/album/AF1QipP9aEc1gfyeGsceuFsecgt5eEM3NdbaCEQFZsHl/AF1QipN9SQ_pZken2syfqtbzzYzqpFtefjukRJlWr225

One of my biggest gripes is that the knights in newer sets/reproductions tend to be overworked with deep gouges in the horses body as opposed to the gentle undulations of the originals. That and the fact that the knights bodies are too fat for the bases in many cases, unlike the original slimmer knights.

Me Too !

My library size set has a leaning Queen:

The pawns on the new sets aren't close to half as beautiful. Is it just for the sake of robustness or is this a fashion thing? On the whole, the trend with modern sets seems to go towards bulkier pieces generally.

On the subject of the annoying lean I recently corrected a lean in a K&Q from a 3 3/4” french staunton by cutting under the collar from the high side with a jewelers saw (if you know what I mean). Seems to work ok. As yet I have not tried to disguise the cut line with wood glue/boxwood paste. Wouldn’t necessarily do it with a valuable antique set but for old Lardys etc it may be a solution. Have used the set and tried to break the join with a little force and so far it seems fine. I used CA and applied to the gap with a plastic straw before clamping straight for 24 hrs.

It's my impression that Lardy kings and queens are especially prone to the royal lean. I guess it's because they weren't varnished to begin with, so prone to absorb moisture in the air?

I’m no expert as regards why the lean occurs but I think it has more to do with the wood not being completely dry before it is worked. As moisture is lost over the years at different rates from different parts of the wood it warps. Can be very annoying whatever causes it.

Yes, of course! I'm sure you're right, it must be the other way around.

I don't like it when knights have a big open mouth with teeth showing. Looks cartoonish to me. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_Marbles#/media/File:Elgin_horse_2d.jpg

This is what the designs of Jaques Knight's are based on ! And Greece want them back .

Does anyone have any information on this chess set design?  It is as elegant a set of chess pieces as I can ever recall seeing.

https://www.tapeteos.pl/details.php?image_id=55161&big=1

What do you think about this design?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ovvmDg4LN/?igshid=waeu2lzz5snl 

Does anyone know the name of this set?

Looks like a Chavet set to me. I am not an expert though.

After some research I came to that conclusion as well. I'd like to know the model tough, hope someone knows about it.

Send a message to @Ronbo710. He has a lot of original Chavet sets. He should know.

Chess.com must get some new and unique chess set designs for the website!

Beautiful photos, everyone. I'm partial to Dubrovnik sets, myself.