Lewis Chessman fetches almost $1 million

A long-lost chess piece bought for £5 in 1964 and kept in a drawer at an Edinburgh home for 55 years, was sold for £735,000 ($928,000)*, a new record for a medieval chess piece at auction


Eleven Lewis Chessmen held by National Museums of Scotland

Newly-discovered piece (left) is Warder, equivalent of Rook in modern chess set

Reverse	Front	88mm


Chessmen found on beach
Uig
ISLE OF LEWIS
Stornoway
The Minch
20km 12 miles

SCOTLAND
Edinburgh
200km 124 miles


1831: Chessmen found on Isle of Lewis, concealed in small, drystone chamber for safe keeping

Hoard, carved from walrus ivory, comprised 78 chess pieces (from four sets), 14 other games pieces
and buckle for bag or belt

Thought to have been produced in Trondheim, Norway, circa late 1100 to early 1200AD – end of Viking era

One Knight and four Warders missing since 1831 – new piece first to be found since then
 

* 1964 sale price of £5 ($14) equivalent to £100 ($126) in 2019


Sources: BBC, Sotheby’s 
Pictures: Sotheby’s, National Museums Scotland
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