Calvert Antique Reproduction Palisander Chess Set

This Ornate Chess Set combines replicas of John Calvert of Fleet Street’s 19th century chess piece design with a Rechapados Ferrer Montgoy Palisander chess board. The end result is a unique chess set that harkens back to the days before the Staunton design became compulsory in tournament play. At that time, in the late 18th century, John Calvert handmade his distinct chess pieces in a London workshop. As the century turned he then came up with the set of chess pieces we have replicated here at Regency Chess. The design is recognisable for the discs that make each midriff, which our partner craftsmen hand turn just as Calvert did some 200 years ago.

Historic Chessmen on a Spanish Board

The knight, too, is quickly identifiable, with its hard geometric lines nothing like today’s horse. Perhaps the most beautiful piece, though, is the bishop and its elegant petals, clearly inspired by a Tulip. Underneath this extraordinary set of ornate chess pieces, which boast a 3.75 King, is a Spanish board by Rechapados Ferrer. The Spanish artisans have been supplying us with luxury boards for a number of years and the Montgoy Palisander is arguably the most popular. This type of Rosewood has a tight grain that ensures the chessboard is extremely robust. Of course, being Rosewood, this 17.75 Inch board is also extremely beautiful, it’s deep colour one of the few hues that compliment the stained Calvert Chessmen. It is worth noting that they are coloured this way in honour of when they were made, a time when reddish chess pieces were the fashion.

Also available without the box


All the components of this ornate chess set, the 17.75 Montgoy Palisander Deluxe Chess Board , Calvert Series Antique Reproduction Chessmen and Wooden Chess Piece Case are also available separately on the Regency Chess Website.

Please note that when the chessmen are placed in the box it is normal and intentional for them to lay down on top of each other. They are NOT intended to stand up inside the box.

The chess board in this set has been expertly crafted by Rechapados Ferrer in Spain using precision laser cutting techniques and stunning wooden veneers combined with expert lacquering and finishing. The underside of the board is finished in a satin veneer that is a different colour from the playing surface of the board. The veneers used for the underside may vary in colour from batch to batch.