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Vintage Royal Doulton/Webb Corbett Cut Lead Crystal Chess Set.

Bought by myself around the mid 80's and stored since.

I believe the pieces were manufactured during the 60's and possibly a prototype because the Kings and Queens are not exactly the same (bases and design) plus there is the addition of a White King and Queen again of a different design. There is also an extra White Bishop which is slightly shorter in length than the other four. (see last photo).

The following information is taken from a 'Bonhams' auction listing from several years ago;

A 1960S ROYAL DOULTON CUT LEAD CRYSTAL CHESS SET

One side in cobalt blue and the opposing side in flint (clear) glass, all with ribbed baluster stems and cog cut circular bases, the kings and queens with crenellated hollow crowns, the bishops as mitres, the knights as horses' heads and the rooks as castellated towers, some principal pieces etched with a crown surmounted by 'Royal Doulton' and above 'England'.

Footnotes;

This set is thought to be one of only two commissioned by Royal Doulton. The vendor worked for Royal Doulton and states this set was the prototype, where the kings and queens were produced earlier by Webb Corbett, and the remaining pieces were matched later in the 1960s by Royal Doulton.
The first experimental piece to be made to match Webb Corbett's kings and queens was the clear knight, without the ribbed support. Consequently, this piece is slightly different. Working to the vendor's instructions the glass cutters ensured the remaining pieces followed the original design much more closely. However, in so doing the production costs proved prohibitively expensive and this design was never put into production.The retail price at the time was to be £1100 for the show-room example.

Please note; I am no expert, I bought this set because it was an item of beauty and because of the rarity of the set I have tried to supply as much information as l can find.

The Glass Board (60cms x 50cms) which I had made when l purchased the set as seen in the photos DOES NOT come with the set due to the fragility, size and weight of the item although if the set was to be collected (West Midlands DY8 area) then the board would be included.

Thanks for looking.

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