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EmmaRiddle · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 03:37 PM

The Evening Standard recently reported that a set of chess pieces which were used as the basis for the wizard chess set in Philosopher's Stone (the ones Harry & Ron play with in the Great Hall at Christmas) are to go on display at the British Museum.

This is despite the fact that the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, has asked for them to be returned to their rightful home in Edinburgh, where they can be reunited with the rest of the set. They were originally discovered in the Outer Hebrides in the early 19th century, are "between 800 and 900 years old and made from walrus and whale ivory".

Quote:

Just as the Greek government wants the Elgin Marbles in London to be returned to Athens, Mr Salmond claims it is "unacceptable" for the British Museum to have 82 of the figures while the other 11 are in the National Museum of Scotland.

But the British Museum is refusing to back down and insists the chessmen are the highlight within the new Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery of Medieval Europe.

Quote:

James Robinson, curator of the medieval collections, said of the chess pieces: "They act as the gateway for all the different themes. They speak about feudal society because all the orders in society - king, queen, bishop, infantryman - are there.

"But also we're showing the influences coming into Europe from the Islamic East. Chess is a game that comes to Europe through the Islamic countries of southern Spain and Sicily."

Quote:

A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish government believes it is unacceptable that 11 Lewis Chessmen rest at the National Museum of Scotland while the other 82 remain in the British Museum and will continue to campaign for a reunited set of Lewis Chessmen in Scotland."

Rackylover · 03-31-2009, 03:48 PM

wow.. theyve got a very great history !
they look great too ;P
and judging their size with that hand in the picture,
they must be somehow quite big..

thanks for the news !

harrys_other_broom · 03-31-2009, 04:21 PM

I am kinda confused... where were they used with Harry Potter?

Nat nat · 03-31-2009, 04:32 PM

i love chess
and i'd love to see those chess pieces...

very very historical...

laura-tonks · 03-31-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harrys_other_broom

I am kinda confused... where were they used with Harry Potter?

In the 1st film where Ron and Harry are playing chess in the Great Hall at Christmas.

The British Museum steals loads of stuff!

Patronus Charm · 03-31-2009, 05:34 PM

if you have ever visited the British Museum, you would be astounded at the stuff that was absconded from other countries back when archaeology was more like Indiana Jones than the scientific field it is today. I mean, the Mesopotamian stuff alone would technically belong in Iraq....but would the world have access to it if it were in Iraq? The British Museum is visited by so many people so items that are carefully, accurately displayed there are for everyone to see.....I mean, i dont know about you guys but i really have no desire to go to Iraq to see Assyrian wall tablets......when the Brits can keep them safe.

purebloodprincess87 · 03-31-2009, 05:38 PM

well that's kool

MeredithRodneyMckay · 03-31-2009, 05:57 PM

Perhaps they should compromise and have half of the set each.

It is a little petty.
I mean,yes it would be nice for them to be in the country they were found,but it's not going to kill anyone if they're not.

But you know....nice looking chess pieces.

EmmaRules · 03-31-2009, 06:30 PM

Why were they used in HP if they are so old and valuable?

SheydaMalfoy · 04-01-2009, 12:01 AM

It'd be interesting to see those chess pieces in real life (:

EmmaRiddle · 04-01-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmmaRules

Why were they used in HP if they are so old and valuable?

Because they fit the tone of the scene?

Ginny GL · 04-01-2009, 12:16 AM

WOW!! And here I was thinking about what a good designer had made the film's set...

The original pieces are lovely!

princess of*hp* · 04-01-2009, 12:25 AM

Really? I'm surprised they used chess pieces that were that old in HP 1.

GinnyW21 · 04-01-2009, 01:14 AM

interesting

LisaxPheonix · 04-01-2009, 02:11 AM

I think the history should be spread instead of just confining it to one museum. people every where should be able to come and admire the workmaship in those peices

half_blood_prince · 04-01-2009, 05:04 AM

wow i didnt know those were actual historical pieces.

Taiya89 · 04-01-2009, 07:48 AM

Awesome!!!

OtterySt.Catchpole · 04-01-2009, 08:15 AM

Is that the king on the throne?

They should return the pieces, it would be the right thing to do. As for what the owners of the pieces do ... that's up to them. It would be nice, but ... it isn't likely the Europeans are going to return all their plunder of their colonies or something ... still it would be a nice gesture. Even if they can't because then they'd have to return everything to everyone and the museum would be pretty much empty I suppose. It's not like the pieces would be going to another continent anyways ...

Saiai · 04-01-2009, 08:48 AM

I think the chess pieces should be returned to the Scottish, if they had them first. It is a great piece of history though and they should all be together so maybe the Scottish should hand over their 11 to the British Museum, as it would allow more people to see the pieces.

Gryffindoll · 04-01-2009, 09:43 AM

I don't care who keeps them, I'd just like for them all to be together! =[ It's no fun to see just part of the set...
Anyway, wow. xD I had no idea something so valuable and historical had been a part of the first HP movie, that's crazy. When I first saw the picture I thought it was just some random modern but old-fashioned chess piece... then it said they were 800/900 years old?! O_O That's ancient!

I think it's absolutely amazing something like this has made it through the centuries in such great condition and without losing the pieces! So let's not start losing the pieces now and keep them together!