Militibus ex Antiquis Ruthenorum (Old Russian Warriors), 32 heavily-weighted chessmen without board, wood, white v. red, Soviet (post Revolution era), circa 1920 – 1930 Height: King 10cm, weight 55g, base width 3.8cm, Queen 9.2cm, Bishop 9cm, Knights 8/7.5cm, Rook 5.8cm, Pawn 5.8cm. W: red felt bases B: black felt bases.
An extremely rare set of Soviet chessmen (most probably hand-turned for personal use or as a gift, perhaps). It came to me in pretty poor condition; two of the Knights muzzles have been repaired and two Bishop mitres and five pawn caps (I’ve lost track of which pawns) have been replaced. There is also a certain amount of ‘head-bowing,’ also called stooping or leaning amongst the pieces, which adds overall character, therefore, it has been left as is. A few ‘battle-scars’ have also been left here and there for the same reason. So please examine the photos carefully.
The pieces are UV resistant and ideal for display, as well as casual play.
Both Kings carry the hand-painted iridescent gold signature of the artist on their felt bases.
Ref code MAR7

✨SET OF THE MONTH✨ Mordor (Field of Shadows); Classic Mordovian U.S.S.R. Chessmen with Hand-Painted Board, c.1952
Cupri Columni (Copper Necks); Soviet Botvinnik-Flohr (BFII) Tournament Chess Set, c.1950-1960
Fandangi Militibus (The Dancing Army); Spanish Escardibul “Ajedrez Stawton No.5” Chess Set, c.1960-1975
Alekhine’s Army; Classic German ‘Bundesform’ Wooden Tournament Chess Set, c.1975-1985
Figuli Lapis Milites (Stone Army): Hand-Painted ‘One-Off’ Isle of Lewis Chess Set, c.1990
Cosaccorum (The Cossacks); Khatman ‘Bohdan Khmelnytsky’ Ukrainian Figural Chess Set, c.1980
The Monochrome Set: Soviet ‘Mordovian Style’ Gulag Chessmen, c.1955
Cardinalis d’Griseo (The Grey Cardinals) Soviet/Russian Chess Set c.1975
Drueke’s American-Made Chessmen, No.22, c.1955-1965
Dogues of War (Domini Bellum); Rare Soviet Analysis Chess Set, c.1945
Tartari (The Mongols); Central Asian ‘Folk-Art’ Chess Set, c.1980-1990
Et Densi (‘Tusk’); Weighted Soviet Carbolite Chess Set, c.1965-1975
Americana: Drueke American Made Chessmen, c.1950
Sangua Oculos (Old Red Eyes); Spanish Escardibul Staunton c.1965-1975
Draconis (The Jackals); Soviet Tournament & Club Set, c.1945-1955
The Whiteheads (Albo Capita); Reimagined Soviet ‘Young Pioneers’ Analysis Set, c.1960s 










