German 1940s Glass-Eyed Knight Set

I've been wanting to post about this glass-eyed knight German set for some time. I acquired it a couple months ago from a wonderful online shop physically located in Madrid, Ajedrezcalde, operated by Jon Enriquez. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ajedrezalcalde?ref=pr_faveshops

The set has become one of my favorites, and it came with a truly beautiful board as well. The Kings are a shade over 95mm and the set is moderately weighted.

The pieces are well-proportioned and consistent with other specimens of German glass-eyed knight sets.

From the Chess Museum website http://www.chess-museum.com/staunton-style.html

Dorland.com posts a similar, though smaller set, writing that they originate from the twenties and thirties. My seller told me he had taken it to a dealer of German antiques in Madrid who estimated it originated between the thirties and fifties. The box my set came with is virtually identical to that show on the Dorland site in form, patina, and wear.  http://dorland-chess.com/179-german-glass-eye.html

The Kings...

You can get some sense of the grain in the Black King's base...

The Queens...

The Knights are the real stars of this set. Well-carved, and with a real gaze. My only issue with them is that they're a bit unstable for playing...

Exemplars from the Chess Museum...

Exemplars from Dorland.com...

More of the Knights...

This poor steed seems to have lost an eye in battle...

The Bishops...

The Rooks are short but stout...

The pawns are nicely shaped...

The board deserves special comment. The squares are walnut and maple, with a rich, gold patina. The mahogany frame and the marquetry border are exquisite. The squares are roughly 50mm, or 2 inches.

This is very nice.  I can readily see why this has become one of your favorites.

A good thread, Chuck.  Thanks for the comparisons with Chess Museum and Dorland; frankly, I like your knights best because they are less angular.  The board and antique pieces go nicely with one another.

Best,
Bob

Congrats!

Love this cute horses...and the chess board

Thanks, Ron!

Thanks, MS!

Many thanks, Bob!

Fabulous  set and board Chuck, congrats on a nice acquisition.

Thanks, Mike!