ANTIQUE VERY RARE IVORY HASTILOW CHESS SET

ANTIQUE VERY RARE IVORY HASTILOW CHESS SET

Circa 1860-1870

Height of king: 3.125 inches / 7.9 cm
Stock number: 856542/0121
Price: £3250

A very rare 19th century English ivory chess set attributed to Charles Hastilow circa 1860-1870, (Charles Hastilow & Sons, Ivory, bone and hardwood turners, 3 Queen Street London EC.).
‘Hastilow’ sets were not signed and we believe one of the the only sets which is directly attributable by way of provenance is in the famous Crumiller collection. Also in that collection is one of the finest ever ‘Hastilow’ playing sets with 5 inch kings and detail which is probably the most outstanding of any playing set ever turned and carved. 
‘Hastilow’ playing sets ( as opposed to figural) can be identified by the complex turreted rooks and the remarkable detail in the kings and queens which was part of the process of demonstrating a turner’s and carver’s skill in the early to mid 19th century. In short, Hastilow sets include detail which just outshines the Lund and Calvert and other styles of sets of the time. 
This set is an excellent example and an important addition to any serious collection of playing sets.