- Calvert Replica Set -
John Calvert was the master of the Worshipful Company of Turners 1795 - mid 1800s
Several new designs from this period have been attributed to him.
I have a copy of an 1810 Calvert set in faux ivory which I purchased from the House of Staunton.
Designs similar to this commonly come to mind when one mentions Calvert ivory sets, but this one in particular was most likely not designed by Calvert. I'm still calling it Calvert because that is the name it is commonly known by. The material of this copy looks nothing at all like ivory, but the design and carving are lovely. Thomas Jefferson owned a real one of these. Here are some pictures of the set.
Note the painted on grain, obviously no elephants were harmed in the production of this set.
This set came with a Mahogany board/box which I have used to photograph many sets on this site.
The sun hits the Calvert set in a Vienna Gambit, a romantic chess opening befitting a set of this old design.
The white side.
Notice the pierced crowns on royal pieces. This is similar to German and Central European Selenus designs, though those crowns point upward.
Red Royalty.
The cleft bishop miter.
A white knight and its shadow.
A view from the other side.
Red minor pieces.
More sunlight on the Vienna Gambit.
Jon Crumiller has several Calvert sets in his collection including a couple real ivory sets of designs similar to this one.