Carved Wooden Chess Pieces from the Alps
Our carved wooden chess pieces are handmade in the Val Gardena valley (South Tyrol), following a centuries-old craft tradition. Lime, Swiss pine and maple are knife-carved to create expressive, one-of-a-kind figures.
Chess Pieces
Chess Pieces
Chess Pieces
Etruscan Chess Set Natural Alpine Wood Traditionally Hand-Carved – Contact Us to Check Availability
Chess Pieces
Chess Pieces
The Art of Alpine Carving
Chess pieces hand-carved in the Val Gardena tradition
Our Alpine wooden chess pieces are hand-carved in the Val Gardena valley (South Tyrol), the birthplace of a craft tradition dating back to the seventeenth century. Each carved wooden chess set is a unique piece of work: the artisans of Ortisei carve lime, Swiss pine and maple to bring expressive characters to life, from armoured knights to mitred bishops.
What makes these pieces exceptional
✍ Hand carving
Each piece is individually carved with a knife and gouge by artisans from Val Gardena. No two pieces are identical: faces, postures and details vary subtly from one set to the next, guaranteeing the uniqueness of every chess set.
🌳 Alpine wood
Lime wood (ideal for fine carving), Swiss pine (an aromatic wood from the Dolomites) and maple. These Alpine timbers offer a fine grain, a smooth touch and a warm colour that deepens with time.
🎨 Figurative style
Unlike the abstract Staunton style, Alpine pieces depict characters: a crowned king, a robed queen, a mounted knight, a hooded bishop. A narrative style that appeals to collectors and lovers of fine pieces.
🎁 Collecting & Gifting
A carved wooden chess set from Val Gardena makes a fine piece of craftsmanship as a gift: certified handmade, it combines Alpine tradition with centuries-old skill. As much a collector's piece as a playable set.
Expert tip: Alpine wooden pieces are available in natural finish (light/dark wood) or hand-painted. The natural versions reveal the beauty of the wood grain; the painted versions offer striking realism with flesh, red, blue and gold tones.
Pair your Alpine pieces
Val Gardena pieces work beautifully with a contrasting fine wooden chess board, or with a storage box to protect them. For a more classic Staunton style, see our fine wooden chess pieces. For other carved pieces, discover our painted resin figures or our historically themed sets.





