Help identifying this London set
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Yes, they are ebonised and the pieces appear to be weighted
If you're looking for an accurate ID, why would you post photos of the set randomly scattered out on a piece of bubble wrap? It looks like at least one of the white bishops is a replacement? Stand the pieces up in a proper row.
As I was in a hurry and at the moment short of space it was my only option for the moment to show them like this. I will try to obtain better pictures at some point
I also think one of the white bishops is either a replacement or was crafted a little differently from the other one. But it is a very small detail
Maybe this helps a little:
I know the pictures are not perfect, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Does maybe someone of the collectors have an idea?
Please take the 5 minutes to photograph them all together, and measure the king height.
Here's my take: I think it's French, maybe proto-Lardy: the Queen and King's heads (very Lardy-esque), the pointed pawns, the knights. Overall proportions and forms feel French. The bishop tops are particularly nice, unique and one of the best touches I've seen. 1940's or earlier. Nice set.
Thank you, Beachero! Interesting idea! I can see where you are coming from with the King and Queen, they truly look a bit like the Lardy ones. I also really like the finishing touches on the pawns and bishops! And I am also quite sure it is older than 1940. Interesting that it seems so difficult to pin down as it probably wasn't a cheap set in it's day considering that it is weighted, the proportions and overall feel.
May 5, 2022
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#14
I have a set with the same design but in large club size—4.4” kings. I suspect it is a pre-WWII proto-Lardy. I’ll post some photos when not on this app.
Good Evening,
today I was lucky to stumble upon this chess set at the antiques market in covent garden in London. It stems from the clearing of an old victorian house in Belgravia and the family who lived there returned from India to GB in the 1930s. The king measures approximately 3.55 inches or 9 cm. I cannot put this set down to a year and probable producer. Could any of the experienced collectors on this forum maybe help? I would greatly appreciate that!:-)
