Barleycorn chess set

Barleycorn chess sets were very popular in England during the first half of the 19th century. They were carved not only from ivory but also from ordinary cattle bones. While cattle bones are not as suitable for fine crafting as elephant ivory, they still allowed for the creation of good pieces with key characteristics. The name “Barleycorn” comes from the pieces’ design, which includes elements resembling barley grains. The king and queen are decorated with barley heads or leaves.