6The Lewis Chessmen
Few objects capture the imagination quite like the Lewis Chessmen. Carved from walrus ivory and dating from the 12th century, these whimsical yet haunting figures were discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland in 1831.
Believed to have been made in Norway, the chessmen reflect the interconnected world of the medieval North Atlantic. Each figure—whether king, queen, or bishop—has a unique expression, blending humor with solemnity. They are tiny masterpieces of medieval sculpture and storytelling.
Gallery: Room 40
