For rent - chess sets for TV & movie production and events

Are you in need of a chess set for a TV or movie production, for commercial photo shootings (magazines, advertisement campaigns etc.) or for an event?

Chess sets frequently appear in TV / movie productions, commercial photo shootings etc. For any such production, authenticity is of the essence. However, often enough the chess sets used for such productions do not match the setting.

Chess sets shown in historical movies often do not fit into the period of the movie plot. In some cases chess sets were shown that at the time of the plot did not even exist, e.g. Staunton chess sets, which were introduced in 1849, are shown in a movie setting from the 18th century. In the movie "Catherine the Great" obviously set in the 18th century, a 20th century mass produced alabaster chess set was used by the characters.

Or chess sets do not match the regional context of the production. In the Indian movie "The Chess Players" produced in 1977, a chess set was shown that to an amateur might look Indian with its intricate ornamental carving, but which was in fact a 19th century Cantonese set, which very unlikely would have been used in India at the time of the movie plot.

In the western movie "Silverado", the sheriff is playing with medieval Isle of Lewis chessmen. I have strong doubts that Lewis replicas were popular in the Wild West and they certainly did not play with the originals.

And then you have productions in which rare and exclusive 19th century ivory sets, which most collectors would rather display than use, are taken for casual play in the park (for example in the Netflix production "Hit & Run", Season 1 Episode 6).

The Polish movie "Potop" (in English "The Deluge") is set in the 17th century during the Swedish invasion of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the years 1655 to 1658, known as The Deluge, which was eventually thwarted by Polish-Lithuanian forces. However, you can see Polish gentry play chess on a mid-19th century lacquer board with an ivory puzzle ball set, both from Canton.

For an amateur not acquainted with antique or vintage chess sets, it is impossible to know. But mistakes like that can be avoided. As a collector with extensive experience I offer advice and guidance. This includes the possibility to rent suitable chess sets from my collection, subject to a reasonable fee and insurance.