The Isle of Lewis chessmen present an unusual buying problem. Unlike ordinary Staunton pieces, where one design may simply be better made than another, Lewis reproductions can interpret the same medieval originals in quite different ways. Brown or red? Standard weight or heavier? A deliberately aged finish? Metal?

The originals were discovered at Uig on Scotland’s Isle of Lewis in 1831, after lying hidden for centuries. The hoard contained 93 pieces, carved from walrus ivory and associated with four chess sets. Today the surviving pieces are held by the British Museum and National Museum of Scotland. Their wonderfully expressive faces have made them probably the most recognizable historic chessmen in the world.

For the Classic Look: Ivory and Brown

For someone picturing a traditional Lewis reproduction, the Berkeley Ivory and Brown Isle of Lewis Chess Set is the natural starting point. Made in England from crushed marble, its detailed pieces are produced from laser scans of the originals. The king is 3.5 inches tall, with a 1.75-inch base and a weight of 110g.

For the same traditional color combination with a more substantial feel, the heavier Ivory and Brown Lewis set is the alternative. This is the direction to take if you like the classic appearance but particularly enjoy weight in a chess piece.

For More Color: Ivory and Red

Red isn’t simply a modern attempt to brighten things up. Traces of dark red coloring were found on some pieces from the original hoard, giving the color combination an interesting connection with the history of the chessmen.

The Berkeley Ivory and Red Isle of Lewis set uses crushed marble and the same 3.5-inch, 110g king dimensions as its standard brown counterpart. For extra heft, the heavier Ivory and Red version has a 145g king with a slightly narrower 1.65-inch base.

Brown feels restrained and traditional; red gives the board considerably more visual drama. Neither is inherently more authentic as a choice for modern play.

For Sheer Weight: The Metal Lewis Set

The Berkeley Metal Isle of Lewis Chess Set takes the familiar medieval characters somewhere entirely different. Made in metal with steel and copper finishes, its 3.5-inch king weighs 205g. That’s almost twice the weight of the standard crushed-marble version.

This is clearly not the choice for somebody trying to recreate the material appearance of the medieval originals. It is for the buyer who loves their design but wants an unusually substantial, contemporary interpretation. Pick up the king and the appeal becomes fairly obvious.

For Historical Character: The Deluxe Aged Version

The most interesting choice for a history enthusiast may be the ChessBaron Deluxe Isle of Lewis Chess Set. Made in England from crushed marble, it is deliberately aged to give the pieces a rustic appearance and draws on Lewis designs held by both museums.

It also includes both types of rook: the famous berserker biting his shield and a conventional rook without the teeth. You can choose which to use and change them around as desired. It’s a small touch, but an appealing one for anyone who has spent time examining the original Lewis pieces.

So Which One Would We Choose?

If asked for one all-round recommendation, the classic crushed-marble Berkeley sets make the strongest case: brown for understated tradition, red for greater contrast. Choose the heavier versions if tactile weight matters particularly to you.

But there are two worthwhile exceptions. The metal version is the standout choice for someone who wants maximum weight and presence. For a buyer fascinated primarily by the history of the Lewis chessmen, the Deluxe aged version, with its museum-inspired treatment and interchangeable berserker rooks, is arguably the most interesting of the six.

Perhaps that is why the Lewis chessmen have endured so well. More than eight centuries after the originals were carved, there still isn’t one definitive way to enjoy them—and those worried-looking medieval kings continue to have considerably more personality than most of their modern rivals.