Made in Italy. Beautifully ornate. 3.25 inch king. Ideal for a 15.75 inch board. Superb quality and detail. THE PIECES Italfama never cease to amaze with their incredible attention to detail. Every single piece in this set is so beautifully ornate. Lord Chelmsford and his wife Adria make an elegant British military couple whilst The Zulu King, Cetswayo, in his tribal gowns, is a fiercesome looking opponent. The British Military, proudly adorned in their red and white uniforms, are brandishing pistols or bayonet firearms. The rooks are cannons with the Union Flag flying proudly above. The tribesmen too are very striking in their detail. The Zulu queen with her flowing robes and urn, the bishop with his cattle skull right through to the pawns and their beautifully decorated shields. Using the dwelling huts as the Zulu rooks is creative genius. These pieces sit well on a 16 inch board and we have matched them with a beautiful 15.75 inch walnut and maple board from Spain to give you The British v Zulus Chess Set THE HISTORY As Lord Carnarvon was successful in introducing federation in Canada, it was felt that, with a similar political effort backed with military campaigns, it might be also be fruitful in South Africa. Sent as High Commissioner in 1874, Sir Henry Bartle Frere was to bring such plans into being. On his own initative and without the consent of the British government, Frere presented an ultimatum to Cetshwayo, the Zulu king in December 1878. As there was no way the Cetshwayo could comply, this ultimatum was made with the intent of instigating war. Non compliance by the Zulus resulted in numerous bloody battles. The Zulu nation\'s independence was ended when the war ultimately culminated in a British victory.