The Lewis Chessmen

A co-publication with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The 93 Lewis Chessmen, bought by the British Museum and by what is now the National Museum of Scotland in the mid nineteenth century, were made in twelfth century Scandinavia, from ivory and whales' teeth. They continue to fascinate academics from various disciplines, as well as museum visitors. In 2014 six of the British Museum's collection will be moved and displayed in a purpose-built museum in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, about 20 miles from where they were discovered. This timely, scholarly book includes looking at who ruled the isles at the time the Chessmen were made and a history of the ivory trade in the north Atlantic.