Ever wondered why Staunton chess sets cost more than your monthly streaming bill? Short answer: they’re expensive because of craftsmanship, premium materials, and heritage. These Luxury Chess Sets aren’t just for casual play, they’re heirlooms. Keep reading to see why owning one feels more like art than a game.
A true Staunton chess set isn’t your average wooden chess set from the corner shop. It’s the design that every professional player swears by. The pieces are balanced, stable, and easy to recognise, crucial when you’re calculating ten moves ahead.
The Staunton pattern became the official design for chess tournaments because it’s practical and elegant. When your queen looks distinct from your bishop, there’s no confusion just clean, focused play.
The story of Staunton begins in 1849, when Nathaniel Cook designed the set and Jaques of London brought it to life. The pieces were named after Howard Staunton, the best chess player of the time, instantly giving the design star power.
From that moment, the Staunton set became the blueprint for all professional chess play. Original Jaques Staunton sets are now collector’s treasures, admired for their craftsmanship and historical charm.
The biggest reason why Staunton chess sets are so expensive in 2025? The wood.
Top-tier makers don’t use any ordinary timber, they work with genuine ebony, bud rosewood, and African padauk. These woods are luxurious, rare, and incredibly durable. Ebony offers a sleek jet-black shine, rosewood gives a rich reddish warmth, and padauk glows with a unique orange hue.
Each set is hand-polished to perfection. The texture, weight, and finish of these Luxury Chess Sets make every move feel smooth, grounded, and precise.
You’ve probably seen chess sets that look black and glossy, but here’s the trick: most of them aren’t real ebony. They’re ebonised boxwood, which is simply dyed to imitate it.
Real ebony is rare, heavy, and naturally black. That’s why genuine ebony Staunton sets can cost up to five times more than ebonised ones. You’re paying for authenticity, not illusion, and that difference becomes clear the moment you hold a piece in your hand.
If chess pieces had personalities, the knight would be the star of the show. It’s also the hardest to make.
Each knight in a true Staunton set is hand-carved individually no shortcuts, no machines. It can take a skilled craftsman hours just to carve the mane, curve the neck, and shape the jaw. That’s why you’ll never find two knights that are exactly alike.
A well-carved knight is a statement of mastery. It’s where artistry meets engineering.
The difference between a £200 set and a £2,000 one often lies in the knight’s face.
When you see realistic eyes, detailed teeth, and sharp mane lines, you’re looking at a high-end set. That level of detail requires years of training and steady hands. The more expressive the carving, the higher the value.
Collectors judge a Staunton set by its knight, because that’s where the craftsmanship truly shows.
Pick up a premium chess piece, and you’ll notice it immediately it feels solid, confident, deliberate. That’s because luxury sets are double, triple, or even quadruple weighted.
This isn’t just for show. The weight gives each move control and precision, keeping the pieces steady even on slippery boards. It’s one of those small details that makes a huge difference in how the game feels.
Adding weights isn’t easy. Craftsmen must hollow out each piece by hand, insert a perfectly measured lead or steel weight, then reseal it to balance the shape.
It’s a time-consuming process, but it gives that signature “luxury feel.” Weighted pieces don’t topple, they glide. And that tactile smoothness is one of the quiet pleasures of owning a fine Staunton set.
When you buy from Jaques of London, you’re not just buying a game, you’re buying history.
Their name has been attached to the Staunton design since its creation, and their mark of authenticity makes every set a collector’s dream. Original Jaques Staunton chess sets often appreciate in value over time, making them as much an investment as a pastime.
While Jaques holds the crown for legacy, brands like The House of Staunton carry the torch into the modern era. Their reproductions are made with incredible accuracy, using museum-grade materials and advanced carving techniques.
Each piece is meticulously shaped, polished, and weighted to perfection, appealing to serious players and collectors alike. These makers continue the Staunton legacy while keeping craftsmanship alive in a world of mass production.
So, why do Staunton chess sets cost so much? Because you’re not just buying a chess set, you’re buying art.
Every piece tells a story of craftsmanship, tradition, and design that’s lasted for nearly two centuries. The balance, the texture, the history, it all adds up to something special.
Owning a Staunton set means holding heritage and artistry in your hands. For many, that’s worth far more than the price tag.
Not all of them. You can find wooden chess sets in the Staunton pattern made from more affordable woods like boxwood or sheesham. They keep the same iconic look, just without the premium materials and hand-carved artistry.
The most expensive chess set ever sold was an antique Jaques of London Staunton set, priced in the tens of thousands. These rare originals, often made from genuine ebony or ivory, are valued for their craftsmanship and historical significance.
Definitely. Triple-weighted pieces offer perfect balance and stability, making play smoother and more satisfying. Once you experience that premium weight, it’s hard to go back to standard pieces.
Final Thought:
In 2025, the answer to why Staunton chess sets are so expensive is simple: they’re masterpieces of craftsmanship, history, and design. Each one captures the spirit of chess itself precise, timeless, and endlessly elegant. Whether you’re a collector or a casual player, that’s a legacy worth investing in.
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