The Lewis chessmen have been redisplayed in a case which allows visitors to see their backs for the first time.
The display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh means people can now view the pieces “in the round” and appreciate the intricate carving from all angles.
The pieces, thought to have probably been made in Norway around 1200, were part of a large hoard discovered in Lewis in the early 19th Century.
Eleven are in the National Museums Scotland (NMS) collection while the remaining 82 are in the British Museum’s collection, six of which are on loan to Museum nan Eilean in Lewis.
Made from walrus ivory and sperm whale teeth, the characters are well known for their distinctive expressions, however curators say their backs are just as interesting and intricately detailed.
Ten of the pieces from the NMS collection have now been redisplayed, with new lighting, layout and refreshed interpretation.
Edited by Catherine Lyst
