Project description
We are looking for an experienced woodcarver or furniture artisan to create a fully hand-carved wooden chess set as a personal commission. The project includes a solid wooden board with contrasting light and dark squares, plus a complete set of 32 playing pieces — pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, queens and kings — carved individually by hand rather than machine-turned on a lathe.
The preferred style is a classic Staunton-inspired silhouette, but we are open to a more decorative or thematic design if the carver has a strong portfolio in figurative work, such as pieces shaped like small animals, soldiers or mythological figures. Wood species should be a durable hardwood such as walnut, maple, oak or beech, with the board and pieces ideally using two contrasting tones for readability during play.
The finished set should be smooth to the touch, evenly sanded, and finished with a food-safe oil or wax that brings out the natural grain without an overly glossy plastic look. Felt should be applied to the base of every piece to protect the board surface. The board itself should fold or come with a matching storage box, since this set is intended both for actual gameplay and as a display piece in a study.
We would like to see progress photos at each major stage — rough blanks, initial shaping, fine detail carving and final finishing — before final payment is released. Applicants should share examples of previous carving work, ideally including any chess sets, figurines or similarly detailed small-scale woodwork. Please indicate your estimated timeline, the tools and techniques you plan to use (hand chisels, rotary tools, or a mix of both), and whether you can source the hardwood yourself or would prefer we discuss material costs separately.
This is a one-off decorative and functional commission, not a bulk production order, so attention to detail and craftsmanship matter more than speed. We are happy to discuss size (standard tournament dimensions or a larger display-scale set) and pricing details directly with shortlisted candidates.
The preferred style is a classic Staunton-inspired silhouette, but we are open to a more decorative or thematic design if the carver has a strong portfolio in figurative work, such as pieces shaped like small animals, soldiers or mythological figures. Wood species should be a durable hardwood such as walnut, maple, oak or beech, with the board and pieces ideally using two contrasting tones for readability during play.
The finished set should be smooth to the touch, evenly sanded, and finished with a food-safe oil or wax that brings out the natural grain without an overly glossy plastic look. Felt should be applied to the base of every piece to protect the board surface. The board itself should fold or come with a matching storage box, since this set is intended both for actual gameplay and as a display piece in a study.
We would like to see progress photos at each major stage — rough blanks, initial shaping, fine detail carving and final finishing — before final payment is released. Applicants should share examples of previous carving work, ideally including any chess sets, figurines or similarly detailed small-scale woodwork. Please indicate your estimated timeline, the tools and techniques you plan to use (hand chisels, rotary tools, or a mix of both), and whether you can source the hardwood yourself or would prefer we discuss material costs separately.
This is a one-off decorative and functional commission, not a bulk production order, so attention to detail and craftsmanship matter more than speed. We are happy to discuss size (standard tournament dimensions or a larger display-scale set) and pricing details directly with shortlisted candidates.
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