The British Chess Company Imperial Pattern

The British Chess Company was founded by William Moffatt and William Hughes and began manufacturing chessmen in 1891. Established as a British alternative to Jaques of London, the company became known for producing distinctive and innovative interpretations of the established Staunton pattern.

 

The company registered its Imperial Staunton design in 1891. Produced historically in boxwood and ebony, the pattern offered an unusual visual hierarchy in which the proportions and presence of the pieces helped reflect their relative power on the chessboard. The substantial rooks are particularly notable, while the bishops, knights and pawns retain their own clearly recognisable profiles.

 

This modern BCE reproduction preserves the handsome proportions and unmistakable character of the original Imperial design. Its finely turned bodies, broad bases and expressive knights give the set a strong late-Victorian identity, while modern weighting and felted bases provide the stability and protection expected from a luxury playing set.

 

A superb choice for players and collectors seeking something more distinctive than a conventional Staunton set, the BCE Imperial Chessmen combine genuine British chess heritage with the natural beauty of boxwood and ebony.