English Chess Set, "St. George" Pattern, 19th century

English Chess Set, "St. George" Pattern, 19th century

Antique English "St. George" pattern chess set in tournament size (3.75" / 95 mm) in original mahogany box with dovetail joints and sliding lid.

The pieces are nicely turned from ebony and boxwood. The Kings with bulb top finials. The Queens with a large bulb top and split mid rings. Rooks as ribbed towers with four crenellations. The Knights have an unusual look and are not entirely consistent, even though they seem to be all original and from the above mentioned period. The seller has suggested that they resemble Knights made in the Ezekiah Dixon workshop, but I am not sure of that. The Dixon sets I have seen looked different. The pieces are not weighted and not felted.

Nevertheless, nice chunky pieces in very good condition. Some pieces show traces of the typical "lean", but apart from that they retain a beautiful polish and have developed a beautiful toffee patina.
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