An Antique ‘Edinburgh Upright’ Bone Chess Set, circa 1870

one side stained red, the other side left natural, each chessman with carved Acanthus Leaf foliate decoration, kings surmounted with Maltese crosses, queens with flame finials, bishops with split mitres, knights as carved horses' heads with painted eyes, rooks as castellated turrets, pawns with ball finials, in a 19th century mahogany box, with a hinged lid, the interior lined with green baize

King: 9.8cm high

Pawn: 4.9cm high

Box: 27cm wide, 13.6cm deep, 7cm high

Stock Reference: MJ 1973

The “Edinburgh” or “Northern” Upright pattern is always popular with collectors and players. According to Howard Staunton the pattern was designed by Lord John Hay in the 1840s.

This set is nicely carved from cow-bone and one side stained with cochineal dye.