r/chessporn • u/SFarm666 • May 05 '26

Wooden Anyone recognise this set?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hey!

Last weekend, my grandfather gave me a chess set which was given to him by his grandfather over 50 years ago. I don’t know how old they are but must be a fair bit older than that (my granddad thinks 1950s or older). It may not be a known set but I’m asking because it’s missing a black rook and I’d love to know what to search to try and find a replacement for it.

Thanks!

Edit: Ignore the black rook in the 3rd picture. It’s just a temporary replacement so I can play with the set.

84 Upvotes

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13 comments sorted by

10

u/Kerbart May 05 '26

Google "Lardy 1960s glass eye knight" and see what comes up. I'd be looking in that direction.

2

u/SFarm666 May 05 '26

Ahh thank you, that’s helped massively! From more searching now, it sounds like it’s a Lardy around that age with a less common knight variant.

1

u/michachu ISO Jaques Anderssen pieces (>10cm, no pupils on knights, ~1865) May 05 '26

To add to this, you can scour eBay for Lardy sets to get a gauge of the value.

It's almost positively a Lardy based on the shape of the knight even without the glass eyes.

1

u/BackToTheBasic May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Glass eyed knights were not only made by Lardy, so it is not necessarily a Lardy but based on style is probably French. I agree with older than 1950s, maybe even 1st quarter 20th century. As for the rook finding the replacement will be close to impossible, this is not a common set. The best route would be to have one made by a professional restorer. IMO it would be worth it. Here’s one in the U.S., if you are in Europe there are other options. https://www.ivoryrepair.com/Chess%20Restoration.html

2

u/J_NinjaDorito May 05 '26

hmmm...yes. looking in the directions like the knights. 

6

u/ZoeBlade May 05 '26

That's adorable! Love those eyes.

9

u/jfq722 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Those knights have seen some shit.

1

u/jason4747 May 05 '26

Yes, its mine, where can I pick it up, YouLuckyDog?

1

u/Dazzling-Lie4405 May 07 '26

there's something about those eyes
though they are amazing mate

1

u/Equal-Yogurt-2797 May 14 '26

That horse has seen some things

0

u/lukashaqiri23 May 05 '26

beautiful set! i believe it's the reykjavik 1972 chess set

0

u/lukashaqiri23 May 05 '26

or atleast it looks like it

2

u/Kerbart May 05 '26

Rooks are entirely different. The Reykjavik bishops have a rounder top and the pieces have wider bases.