The World’s Most Beautiful and Unusual Chess Sets

(via Atlas Obscura) The new book:  Master Works: Rare and Beautiful Chess Sets shows, shows that even with the apparent limitations of structure—32 pieces across 64 squares—there is capacity for unusual and inspired design. Some designs arose from ideology. Some were born out of wealth, such as the opulent rock crystal and silver set from 16th-century France. And some were made from necessity, such as the cardboard pieces created during the 900-day siege of Leningrad in World War II.