Staunton is without doubt the most recognised style of chess piece in the world today. Designed in the mid 1800s, it soon became the standard design for chess pieces and has been imitated ever since. There are now thousands of variations on the Staunton theme with new versions released every year.
Our range of Staunton chess pieces is among the finest in the UK, sourced only from leading global producers where quality comes before price. Only the finest graded materials are used alongside expert craftsmanship to ensure longevity, balance and beauty.
The creation of the iconic Staunton chess pieces is a remarkable story involving the editor of the world’s first illustrated newspaper, a master craftsman, and the leading chess player of the era. In Victorian London, as industry boomed and the middle classes expanded, three men were about to change the world of chess forever.
The disputed origins involve Nathanial Cook, editor of The Illustrated London News, and his brother-in-law John Jaques, a master turner and maker of sporting goods. Recognising a growing audience with a taste for refinement and quality, they designed a chess set elegant enough to represent status yet practical enough for mass production.
Together they created a set of chessmen crafted from Ebony and Boxwood. We continue this tradition by offering fine Staunton pieces in these same woods, including the Broadbase, Windsor and Elegant Series chessmen.
Because Ebony is now a rare and expensive hardwood, we also offer ebonised boxwood pieces that achieve the same striking appearance. These pieces are dyed and polished, then weighted for a premium feel. Our Down Head Knight collection is a great example of this.
Howard Staunton, the world’s leading chess player of the era, often complained that poorly designed pieces made competitive play difficult. Many pieces in use at the time were hard to distinguish, distracting from the game.
His views were published in The Illustrated London News, edited by Cook. This brought Staunton into contact with Cook and Jaques, leading to a partnership that formalised the new design. On September 8, 1849, the newspaper announced the new style of chess pieces, described as elegant, practical and stable. This announcement marked the birth of the modern Staunton chess set.
By 1924, FIDE had adopted Staunton pieces as the official tournament standard. Since then, chess has enjoyed a consistent and recognisable piece design worldwide.
In other ranges we also supply ornate, luxury, metal and historically inspired chessmen, including Isle of Lewis and St George-style sets. These give insight into the earlier influences that shaped the Staunton design. The Regency collection includes pieces in materials from Red Sandalwood to Golden Sheesham, always maintaining the timeless principles established in Victorian London.
