Northern Europe, England, ca. mid-19th century CE. Hand-turned from animal bone, a lovely "Barleycorn" chess set with the dark pieces stained Cochineal red and the others left natural. Owing its name to the pronounced husk or "barley ear" patterns of the barrels, this elaborate English Playing Chess Set design called "Barleycorn" dominated the market place during the Pre-Staunton (1820-1845) era. Barleycorn signatures resemble 19th-century English signatures with balusters as pawns, castellated towers with flags as rooks, horse heads as knights, split miters as bishops, and kings having an orb atop their crowns, as seen here. In the 19th century, the supply of such popular French sets from Dieppe and others had dwindled as a result of the decline in trade between the France and Britain. British Chess players were forced to look locally for sources of chess pieces, and resourceful English turners capitalized on this demand by introducing the Barleycorn Pattern. A fabulous, timeless example! Size of largest (king): 1.3" Diameter x 5.1" H (3.3 cm x 13 cm)

The Barleycorn Pattern was widely successful, until it was ultimately supplanted by the introduction of the Staunton Pattern in 1849. Many famous American Chess players owned Barleycorn chess pieces, including Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams.

Please note that the chess board is not included with this set.

Provenance: private Alpine, Utah, USA collection, acquired from Garrick Coleman Antiques, London, UK in August 21, 2001

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#185157

Chess board not included. Some small chips and loosening to separate parts, as well as a few stable hairline fissures. Flags are removable from rooks. Otherwise, complete set with all pieces intact with good preservation of detail.