18th and 19th century sets
The design of chess sets for play can be regarded as complete by 1850, (after the introduction of the Jaques Staunton pattern).
However, of course, most of the then current styles continued in use until the middle of the 19th century.
For some sets we have manufacturing dates for, and for some we have design dates.
Some set designs are so old that it is not possible to say when the pattern was introduced, but, (for example), Regence and Selenus are found in old paintings, so we at least have a clue.
I will try to demonstrate how the visual shape and weight of the sets changed over time up to the introduction of the Staunton pattern.
20 Aug 2009
Photos: 46
