This Lewis chess set with Celtic inspired symbols adorning the box and Celtic knots denoting the black squares of the chess board lid is one of the most popular items at the National Museum of Scotland.

The Lewis chess pieces in ivory and brown resin might be small but they bring out the true characteristics of the Lewis chess pieces we are all familiar with. And when the set is not out on display the pieces can be stored in the cut-foam interior of the case which is backed with black felt, as is the board / lid, to protect any playing surface.

The Lewis chess pieces are among the best known objects in the National Museum of Scotland. The Viking hoard of ninety-three pieces carved from walrus ivory and probably made in Scandinavia in the 12th century, were found some 700 years later in a sand dune at Uig on the island of Lewis in 1831. The hoard contained four distinct sets with traces of dark red colouring on some of the pieces. Eleven pieces are currently owned by National Museums Scotland and the remaining eighty-two are in the British Museum.

The board measures 22cm in diameter.