The chess set of Jacobus Publicius (1482)

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Reconstruction of the Publicius chess set, shown on our painted medieval ch
  • Reconstruction of the Publicius chess set, shown on our painted medieval ch
  • Publicius chess pieces – king, queen, bishop, knight, rook, pawn
  • Publicius chess set, showing all the white pieces on our painted medieval c

  • The chess set of Jacobus Publicius (1482)

  • From the Ars oratoria, Ars epistolandi, Ars memorativa, published in Venice in 1482
  • £0.00
Commission Only

Our chess sets, as well as some of our other larger games, are made to order. Please get in touch via our contact page for a quote, including time scales and shipping costs, or to discuss your own requirements. The set shown here is based on illustrations in a manuscript published in 1482, and an approximate price for this set (pieces only) would be in the region of £200. The set is displayed on one of our painted wooden chessboards.

Though published in the late fifteenth century this chess set is very similar to examples from a hundred years earlier; and is of a style which continued through the sixteenth century. You can read more about the Publicius chess set here and about the development of Early Historic chess sets here.

Specifications for the illustrated set: 

  • Pieces turned and carved from beech wood
  • White pieces are the natural wood colour; black pieces are stained
  • All pieces are sanded, but not oiled, waxed or varnished
  • King is 1.25" diameter at the base
  • King is 4.25" tall
  • Pieces are supplied in a sturdy wire-stitched cardboard box

 

Historic Period or Date:

  • c. mid C15th to late C16th

Materials and Special Features:

  • Beech wood pieces

Dimensions:

  • Height: up to 4.25"
  • Diameter: max. 1.25"