Beautifully crafted. Exquisite detail. 3.25 inch king. Made in Italy. Ideal for a 15.75 inch board. THE PIECES As expected with all Italfama products, these pieces are beautifully crafted from crushed stone composite with superb detailing and finish. All the signs are represented in their easily recognised forms. The Leo and Aquarius Kings stand proud, supported by their beautiful Virgo and Libra Queens. The bishops are portrayed by Aries and Taurus whilst Sagittarius and Capricorn make excellent knights. Gemini and Pisces are on the flanks as the rooks with Cancer and Scorpio making very ornate pawns. All the pieces are individually marked with their rank to make play easier, and we have matched them with a beautiful 15.75 inch walnut and maple board from Spain to give you The Zodiac Themed Chess Set THE HISTORY Referring to the configurations of creatures seen in the stars at night, the word Zodiac literally means \'animals\'. Month by month, throughout the year, our Sun apparently moves around a great circle known as \'The Zodiac Belt\'. The energy is transversed from the different constellational signs and celestial radiations are transmitted down to Earth. Influences, associated with these movements, can be observed as the planets revolve around the Sun in their respective cycles. The 12 signs of the Zodiac can be divided into both masculine and feminine, positive and negative, or, active and passive. The masculine signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius, whereas the feminine signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces. These can be memorised by using the following jingle: The Ram, the Bull, the Heavenly Twins And now the Crab, the Lion shines, The Virgin and the Scales. The Scorpion, Archer and The Goat. The Man that bears the Watering Pot, And Fish with glittering tails.