Rethinking the Lewis Chess Pieces: Year One at the British Museum
- Enrico Braglia
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
In May 2024, the British Museum launched an ambitious project to unlock the secrets of the famous Lewis chess pieces, thanks to a generous grant from Augmentum. This year-long effort has brought together experts in conservation, science, and curation to explore the origins, craftsmanship, and journeys of these medieval treasures, which have fascinated historians and the public alike for centuries.
What’s Been Achieved So Far?
Conservation Milestones: Fourteen chess pieces were carefully assessed for their condition, with five selected for scientific sampling. The conservation team developed new methods to ensure the pieces’ safety during analysis.
Scientific Discoveries: Using advanced imaging techniques like scanning electron microscopy and X-ray CT scans, researchers have captured thousands of images, revealing intricate carving techniques and the internal structure of the walrus ivory used to make the pieces.
International Collaboration: The project welcomed visiting scholars from Oslo, who contributed to discussions on sampling methods and research approaches.
Curatorial Highlights: Six chess pieces and a draughts piece travelled to Trondheim, Norway, for the “Sea Ivories” exhibition, which explores the environmental and historical context of medieval sea ivories. The exhibition runs until January 2026 and features insights from the project’s research.
Examination of Lewis chess piece warder being examined using the digital microscope Looking Ahead
The coming year will see ongoing lab work and analysis to deepen our understanding of these remarkable artefacts. The British Museum remains grateful for Augmentum’s support and looks forward to sharing more discoveries as the project continues.