Regency
Preeminent style in chess pieces, probably dating back to the 18th C, and associated with a French Regency period (the days of Richelieu and Mazarin). This style was also adopted in several other countries, and still is alife in third world manufacturies - and in Spain! Usually not felted, nor weighted - with two-piece knights!
Directoire
Playing set from the turn of the 18th to 19th century, generally termed as Directoire (for the Post-revolutionary spell...) - simple and sturdy (or it would not be around any more!) with hooded knights (?? symbolizing knights caskets??) . Rare and interesting in various details....such sets appear on contemporary illustrations from the Café Regence...
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Prime Regency
Early 19th C Regency - probably contemporary to the prized Lyon sets, destined for the higher classes. side cuts on the bishops, oversized knight heads - a normal playing set - king stands 85 mm.
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18th C Regency set
Very old Regency set of an unusual pattern - unique pawns, knights with a minuscule knot at the side, bishops with side cuts on the top ring, symbolizing three-cornered hats. And rather uncommon vase-like rooks as well, at least in Regency sets. Made in boxwood, the kings stand 73 mm - superbly restored, with several replacements, by Alan Dewey.
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Regal Regency
Impressive Regency - impressive through the massive form of the pieces, the fine execution, and the fierce look of these knights. The bishops have side cuts on the top rings, the rooks are the straight type, and the knights are cut in great detail. Kings at 110 mm!
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Rouge et Noir
Some good soul has considerably improved a standard french Regency set from the 1920ies or earlier - by applying red and black varnish to the pieces! King stands 90 mm, general impression is very attractive. There is nothing so drab it cannot be improved by a nice coat of paint.... |
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Large French Set
Hardwood (pear) or boxwood pieces, king 92 mm, made in France, probably around 1900.
German cassette
Very pleasant set of german origin, boxwood polished and varnished, king 80 mm, contained in false leather cassette together with a wooden folding board. 20th C, ca. 20 - 40ies. |
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Spanish Regency
Spanish style (blocky knights), ca. 1950, in softwood - kings stand 62 mm. This style is still being made, click here |
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Wartimes Regency
Modest little set in softwood, german, probably from the days of post-WWI - strongly undercut rooks, very short bishops, fairly wide bases, peg queen top - and a set of paper pads to play draughts with! Ancient box too.... |
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Softwood Tall
Softwood set, probably german and pre-WW2, with interesting longilinear knife-whittled knights - king 76 mm. |
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Odd German
Highly interesting, but roughly finished set in maple, hat on king larger than base!, strongly stylized knights, and untypical pawns without the normal mid-stem collar! King stands 81 mm - ca. 1940 ? |
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Teak
Interesting set in massive teak?, an indonesian interpretation of the long-running Regency form - one side natural wood, the other side tinted black. The imposing knights can only be interpreted by somebody who has been there, and I suppose, seen some of the colourful festivals, shadow-theatre, popular designs etc. Kings stand 95 mm - when I received the set it was so dry it seemed to powderize in my hands. Motto: teak needs a lot of oiling and waxing.
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Horn Regency
Horn pieces (cattle/goat) from Mexico, not old, hollow, kings stands 68 mm - very light - candidates for leading - translucent. |
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Vietnam Regency
Attractive sets from waterbuffalo horn - usually associated with those splendid lacquer folding boards from Hanoi. All black - white side distinguished by small bone tops - kings 72 mm high. |
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Stone Regency
Luminous stone set - from Mexico or China - appears to be in marble or even malachite, but is probably soapstone (steatite) or coloured alabaster. Kings stands 76 mm. shd be from the 60ies to 70ies. |
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Glasseyed Knights Regence Set
Well finished boxwood set, beginning 20th C, with glasseyed knights, king stands 82 mm high |
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19th C - Glasseyed Knights
Old and finely made boxwood chessmen, polished, with glasseyed knights in strong detail, cylindric rooks - king height 87 mm. |
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