Sam Braid Design
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Chess
08Piece

2025
Chess set of found and carved stones, dark against pale, on an oak and walnut chequered board

Drawing inspiration from the Isle of Lewis chess pieces, found in 1831, led to a beachcombing mission to find forms that bore a resemblance to specific chess pieces.

The pieces were found at Dungeness and the Seven Sisters cliffs in Seaford, then carved into to bring each one to life with distinguishing markings.

Materials
Stoneware, oak, walnut
Found at
Dungeness and the Seven Sisters cliffs, Seaford
Reference
The Isle of Lewis chessmen, found 1831
Two of the Isle of Lewis chess pieces, a seated king holding a sword across his knees and a queen resting her cheek on her hand
Isle of Lewis chess pieces

Shadowy shots

1 / 8
  • The chess board on its rusted column, alone on the grass with its long shadow
  • The set on its column from a corner, light falling across the board
  • The chess set on a rusted column in dappled shade, seen from above
  • Dark and pale pieces gathered in two piles on the board
  • Dark flint pieces in a row along the board edge, out on the grass
  • Pale chalk pieces in sunlight on the oak and walnut board
  • The full set laid out on the board, resting on the Turntable Table
  • Pale chalk pieces lined up on the board, their shadows rising on the wall behind