Various chess pieces dating from the 9th to 13th centuries.

References in the notes below to the 'Charlemagne' pieces refer to a group of pieces traditionaly reputed to have been given to Charlemagne by the calife of Bagdad, Haroun el Rachid to celebrate his coronation in the year 800. In fact the pieces date from the end of the 11th century and probably came from Salerne in Italy.

	Bishop. Scandinavian. Walrus tusk. Early 13th Century. The eye holes would have contained precious stones. Copenhagen, Nationalmuseum.
	Knight, bishop and pawn. Scandinavian early 11th century. Nuremberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum.
	Scandinavian pieces in bone. 9th Century. Nuremberg, Germanisches Nationalmuseum.
	King. One of the 'Charlemagne' pieces.Ivory Italy end of the 11th Century. Paris Cabinet des médailles.
	Queen. One of the 'Charlemagne' pieces.Ivory Italy end of the 11th Century. Paris Cabinet des médailles.
	Bishops. From the 'Charlemagne' pieces.Ivory Italy end of the 11th Century. Paris Cabinet des médailles.
	As above
	Knight. From the 'Charlemagne' pieces.Ivory Italy end of the 11th Century. Paris Cabinet des médailles.
	Pawn. From the 'Charlemagne' pieces.Ivory Italy end of the 11th Century. Paris Cabinet des médailles.
	German or scandinavian bone pieces, early 12th century. Noyon Musée Municipale.
	King. Scandinavian. End of the 12th Century. Sperm whale ivory. Paris Musée du Louvre.
	Bishop. Scandinavian. End of the 12th Century. Walrus ivory. London British Museum.

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Last modified august1997.