eBay
ANTIQUE KILLARNEY CHESS BOARD
&
CUSTOM-MADE HISTORICAL REPRODUCTION KILLARNEY CHESS SET


~ 4" KINGS ~

Arbutus & Yew



An extremely rare Irish mid-Victorian marquetry arbutus and yew chess board, probably made by James Egan, Killarney, Ireland, circa 1830-1850. This board features inlaid borders with scrolling foliage and the fruits of the arbutus tree. It also has alternating colour threading. The interior backgammon tables are attractively inlaid. 16” square.

James Egan was one of the first manufacturers of Killarney wares, which became popular in the mid-1830s. The majority of items with Killarney-type inlay are boxes, table cabinets and stands, or small pieces of furniture such as pedestal work or sewing tables and davenports. Egan’s style is a noticeably open one, seen here in the lovely unfussy curves of the arbutus foliage. Arbutus is one of the main local timbers used in Killarney marquetry, and it is versatile in the effect created by the use of its veneers with the root, trunk and branches. Other local timbers were used, for example holly, sycamore, laburnum, maple and yew. In this case, arbutus wood and yew wood were employed extensively.


THE USE OF THE ARBUTUS LEAF AND FRUIT MOTIF IS UNPRECEDENTED IN OUR EXPERIENCE.


WE HAVE NEVER BEFORE SEEN AN ARTICLE OF KILLARNEYWARE WITH ARBUTUS MOTIFS.


(FOR SOME REASON, EBAY WILL NOT LET ME INCLUDE A PICTURE OF ARBUTUS FRUIT, SO LOOK IT UP...)


The normal motifs were shamrocks, thistles, roses, and (later in the period) cartouches depicting local scenic spots such as Muckross House.

The board is paired with a Killarney style chess set I made especially for this board. It is also of arbutus and yew. I based the design on an historic one seen some years ago in London, which we documented at the time because we thought it was so attractive. The yew has an attractive two-toned mix of heartwood and sapwood seen only in Killarney chess sets, and then rarely. I made sure to replicate the arbutus motif in the pieces where ever I felt it appropriate. The board and set are thus expressly paired together.

There is no chess set other than Killarney-style with this "look": the styling of the pieces, from the tall kings to the fey knights, is utterly fascinating.

A Killarney board and chess set are essential to a well-rounded chess set collection, or one featuring the history of Ireland. The Killarney style also displays in a particularly attractive manner.


Information about the board and set, including process pictures of the actual making of the set, is at CHESSSPY.


Google CHESSSPY ... you'll find me.


Sometimes the obvious needs saying, and so bear with me here. This board is 150+ years old: this means it is not new. "Restored" does not mean it looks new, either: it means it doesn't have chips, cracks, missing bits, and that sort of thing. You should contact me with questions prior to buying, please. Also, my website has articles about antique & vintage chess sets, plus the restoration process and some how-to videos--a lot of stuff I have gathered and learned in my 25+ years of working with chess sets. Take advantage!

There is an extensive photo-essay about Killarney chess boards & sets on the website, incidentally: much more than could be provided here.

Anyway, the "small print" is easy with me. (1) I have put a reserve price because that's fair. Write to me if you wish to know the reserve amount. (2) I only accept PayPal from buyers who have good feedback and a record of paying for what they win. (3) I ship to you for free worldwide. (4) I do not ship anything as a "gift".


Cheers!

Alan Dewey
(CHESSSPY)


On May-02-14 at 11:12:53 PDT, seller added the following information:

A beautiful day here in the mountains of North Carolina! We took advantage of the lovely sunshine to add three pictures.

They show the finish and spectacular two-tone colours of pieces, particularly the yew ones.

Also, there is a picture of the entire set & board with an inset of the native Irish arbutus (or "strawberry") tree. Arbutus wood was one of those used to make the board, and the scrolling inlay work of the border depicts it. I echoed this in the design of the chess pieces.

As said earlier, I have never seen this theme employed before, and it makes what already is a rare and desirable object a truly unique one.

These and other pictures are on the website. Take a look! And while you are there, sign up for email updates about upcoming auctions and other things we are doing. The link for signing up for notifications is on the CHESSSPY homepage, upper left.

All the best.

Alan (CHESSSPY)