Chessman

Description

Chessman or chess piece, bishop, wearing a cape over a chasuble and mitre on head, he grasps crosier with both hands, seated on throne, of walrus ivory, found in an underground chamber in the parish of Uig, Lewis in 1831: Scandinavian, late 12th century

Museum reference

H.NS 24

Object name

Chessman, Chess piece

Production information

Scandinavia, EUROPE

Date

Late 12th century

Materials

Walrus ivory

Collection place(s)

Uig, Lewis, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, Northern Europe

Exhibitions

• Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked (21 May 2010 - 12 Sep 2011)
  National Museum of Scotland
  Aberdeen Art Gallery
  Shetland Museum and Archives
  Museum nan Eilean

• Angels, Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland (12 Aug 1982 - 26 Sep 1982)
  Royal Museum of Scotland

References

Glenn, Virginia, Romanesque & Gothic: Decorative Metalwork and Ivory Carvings in the Museum of Scotland, NMSE Publishing, Edinburgh, 2003

Caldwell, D.H. (ed). Angels Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1982

Caldwell, D.H., Hall, M.A. and Wilkinson, C.M., 2009, ‘The Lewis Hoard of Gaming Pieces; a re-examination of their context, meanings, discovery and manufacture’, Medieval Archaeology 53 (2009), 155-203

Links to other web pages

Canmore Site Record

On display

national museum of scotland »
level 1 »
scotland galleries »
kingdom of the scots »
medieval church