There are many unconfirmed stories telling how the Lewis chesspieces were found. These range from a local man discovering them in a dry-stone chamber, to dramatic stories involving death-bed confessions of murder and theft from a seaman who was observed jumping ship. What is clear it that they were buried at some point. Several pieces have wormlike channels in their surface that are may be tracks from burrowing organisms, or acid-etching from contact with plant roots.

In 1832 some of the pieces were reported to have evidence of red pigment, suggesting that one side of the sets may have been dyed red. A modern examination by the British Museum also discovered green flecks on 4 of the pieces. These seemed to fluoresce under X-ray, suggesting the possibility of a lead-based pigment. But these flecks appear on smooth portions where they would be most likely to wear-off, (or get rubbed-on from contact with other artifacts) and not in carved details where pigment should have been protected from wear. The Museum report was unable to confirm whether the red tint to some pieces was an artificial application, or staining due to contact with plant, or mineral deposits while they were buried. In general, the report accepted the possibilty of the early report of red pigment, but after 160 years of fading, handling, and possible contact with other museum artifacts, the truth remains subject to opinion.

Since some modern players do not care for "non-standard" chesspieces we have choosen to mold the pieces in "ivory" and dark brown to give them a greater contrast between opposing sides. E-mail us