On this day in 1831, nearly 80 medieval-era Norse chess pieces were proudly showcased at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in Edinburgh. Crafted from walrus tusk ivory and whale teeth, these eye-catching pieces—featuring unique expressions, intricate clothing, and armaments—sparked curiosity and admiration alike. They might have raised more questions than they answered, but they were truly appreciated from the very start.
The origins of the pieces, along with how they ended up in Scotland, are still a mystery. Details about when and where they were found are also unclear. A well-known story says that a hungry cow broke the ground and uncovered a ceramic artefact container.
It is believed the hoard was found in a sandbank on the west Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Besides 78 chess pieces, it included 14 checkers discs and a belt buckle. The pieces’ surfaces had grooves likely from worms, suggesting they had been in the container for a long time.
Nearly four complete chess sets were assembled from discovered pieces, each with a different style, indicating they were probably carved from the same pattern by various artisans. Mercury traces on some suggest they may have been coloured red to differentiate players.
The main theory suggests they originated in Norway, dating to the late 12th or early 13th centuries. A British Museum curator and chess enthusiast linked the date to a bishop’s hat style. Similar details match medieval Norwegian churches, and a queen fragment was found in Trondheim. At that time, the Hebrides were part of Norway.
The fate of the treasure remains unknown. It might have been hidden by a shipwrecked merchant travelling to Scotland or Ireland, or belonged to a local noble on Lewis.
The pieces are no longer on the island. After their initial exhibition, they sold and changed ownership multiple times, ultimately donating to the British Museum and Scottish National Museum, where they remain.