Based on a 200 year old design. Outstanding detail. 3.75\" (95 mm) king. Weighted for perfect balance. Bases covered with billiard cloth. Ideal for a 20\" (50 cm) board. Our Northern Upright Chessmen are based on a design that is more than 200 years old and predates the now traditional Staunton design. The tall, thin pieces were first used by the aristocracy of 19th century Europe, and among the likes of Beethoven, Dickens and Darwin. Since then chess pieces have become thicker and, in some cases, have lost the finesse of the bygone era. The Northern Uprights have a slim middle column beneath recognizable, nuanced figureheads. The attention to detail is outstanding with every line sharply cut. It\'s not only the design that makes these pieces extraordinary, though; they are also made from solid ebony. This traditional chess material was chosen because of the significance of the Northern Uprights and, here at Regency Chess, we are immensely proud of their all round quality. The king stands at 3.75 inches (95 mm) and is noticeably heavy in its feel, with a base of 1.4 inches (36 mm). The Northern Uprights belong on a board of at least 20 inches (50 cm).