NZ Native Bird Chess Set | Handmade Collector Chess Set

Thirty-two individually hand-cast chess pieces, created from original furnACE sculpts of New Zealand native birds, facing off across a full-size handcrafted timber board.

The King is the Kārearea, the New Zealand Falcon. The Queen is the Kiwi. Kea take the role of Bishops, Tūī become Knights, Takahē stand as Rooks, and the pawns are a row of Fantails, or Pīwakawaka.

Each set is made in small batches in our Helensville workshop, with every piece individually cast, finished and checked by hand. The result is a substantial, distinctly New Zealand chess set designed to be played, displayed and kept.

A genuine heirloom, and no two sets are quite alike.

Details

• Overall board size: 455 × 455 mm
• Playing area: 400 × 400 mm
• Square size: 50 × 50 mm
• Board thickness: approx. 20.5 mm
• King height: 95 mm
• Pieces: 32 individually hand-cast resin chess pieces
• Piece masters: Original furnACE native-bird sculpts
• Ivory side: White-pigmented epoxy resin with a hand-applied burnt umber antiquing wash
• Jade side: Translucent green resin with individually finished bases
• Playing surface: Alternating stained maple-birch ply and walnut squares
• Outer frame: Solid walnut
• Detailing: Four recessed pāua-effect fern inlays, two at each playing end
• Piece lineup:
  • King – Kārearea / NZ Falcon
  • Queen – Kiwi
  • Bishop – Kea
  • Knight – Tūī
  • Rook – Takahē
  • Pawn – Fantail / Pīwakawaka

Designed and made in: Helensville, New Zealand

Delivery: NZ-wide tracked courier

Local pickup: Available by arrangement