The 8.8-centimetre warder, which serves as the medieval equivalent of a rook, was brought to Sotheby's in London for a routine, free assessment. Alexander Kader, the auction house's co-worldwide head of European sculpture, discreetly authenticated the piece over a six-month period before the public sale. This identification reduces the number of missing Lewis chessmen to just four unaccounted-for figures from the famous collection.
Key points
The transaction set a certified Guinness World Record as the most expensive medieval ches…: The transaction set a certified Guinness World Record as the most expensive medieval chess piece sold at auction.
The dealer's daughter unknowingly kept the historic 12th-century Norse artifact stored in…: The dealer's daughter unknowingly kept the historic 12th-century Norse artifact stored in a bag inside a drawer for 55 years.
Only four pieces from the original Lewis Chessmen hoard now remain missing following this…: Only four pieces from the original Lewis Chessmen hoard now remain missing following this discovery.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
A small carved ivory figure bought for just £5 by an Edinburgh antiques dealer in 1964 has sold at auction for £735,000 after experts identified it as a long-lost Lewis chessman. The sale set an official record for the most expensive medieval chess piece ever sold at auction, according to Guinness World Records. The 8.8-centimetre figure is made from walrus tusk and represents a warder, which is the equivalent of a rook in modern chess. For 55 years, the chess piece was kept inside a drawer at the home of the dealer's daughter. She had no idea about its historical importance or how much it could be worth.
Decades in a family drawer
The story of the missing warder began in 1964, when an Edinburgh antiques dealer bought the small ivory figure from another local dealer. He recorded the purchase in his sales book as an "Antique Walrus Tusk Warrior Chessman". After his death, his daughter inherited the figure. A family spokesperson told Sotheby's that although the family did not know exactly what the object was, its owner loved it…
India's preparations for the upcoming five-match series opener on November 4 saw split routines among the squad on Monday at Eden Park. While the captain set a demanding standard on the centre wicket, several veteran teammates bypassed outdoor skills to manage their workloads. The varied training approaches precede the arrival of remaining squad members traveling from Hamilton.
The Judicial Commission of Victoria substantiated allegations against Magistrate Vicky Prapas after an official complaint from Victoria Legal Aid regarding her conduct in a Melbourne drug court. Investigators discovered a history of inappropriate remarks, offensive slurs directed at a marginalized group, and retaliatory actions against lawyers considering formal grievances. The disciplinary body established that therapeutic court settings do not exempt judicial officers from basic standards of civility and decorum.
The Italian driver secured the historic milestone by taking third place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, ending a national title drought dating back to 1953. His podium result established an unassailable 119-point advantage over second-placed race winner Max Verstappen with rounds to spare. The outcome also puts Mercedes within reach of sealing the constructors' crown at the upcoming race in Brazil.