A wonderful chess set combination of contrasting woods The board is handmade in Italy, constructed from Briarwood and Elm veneer and finished in an extra thick coating of deep satin lacquer. The Briarwood burl has amazing depth of grain with really seductive patterning that holds a number of different shades of colour. Rich yellows follow deep reds, follow rich red browns. The inlaid veneer squares are bordered with an elegant strip of Ebony that sections of the playing area from the edge. The underside of the board features a lacquered wooden veneer and has felting pads to protect surfaces underneath. Victoria series Ebonised Boxwood chess pieces are designed with the classic Staunton style in mind. However, they feature wider bases and a more concave sweeping shank. The detailing on these pieces at this price is unbelievable - from the detailed finial of the king to the precise hand carving of the Queen\'s crown. The process of ebonising involves chemically changing light Boxwood to create a very convincing faux Ebony effect. It\'s very impressive as the ebony effect penetrates the wood and doesn\'t chip or fade. Finally, each piece is nicely weighted and has its base lined with plush green flock. In all, a great classic chess set that will attract admiration with its great looks and provide years of quality, happy chess playing.