About this actual item: This piece is from Mr Planet Retro's private collection. Purchased in Sydney by his Dad as a thank you gift, Mr Planet Retro lovingly retells the story of Dad smuggling this 15.5kg piece onto the flight home to Wellington. The box and board were suitcased and the pewter pieces all individually wrapped and placed inside one of those old vinyl, teal green Air NZ shoulder bags. Trying to appear like the bag weighed nothing, Dad blatantly defied the rules, almost giving himself a hernia in the process. He understandibly declined when the hostess offered to stow his bag overhead. Given the potential for turbulence this was a wise move in more ways than one.
Designed and hand-sculpted by Australian artist Dr Graeme Anthony, the War of the Rings Chess Set is a monumental Middle-earth chess set first acquired in Australia in 1989. This is a substantial, sculptural interpretation of Tolkien’s world, created as much for display as for play.
Each figure is cast in a pewter-based alloy, with the light side plated in German Nickel Silver and the dark side finished in Florentine Bronze. The pieces have real visual weight and presence, giving the set a ceremonial quality that clearly distinguishes it from novelty chess sets of the era.
The board itself is equally commanding: a large embellished wooden board with copper and metal corner detailing and inlaid elements. Together with the sculptural pieces, it forms a complete display ensemble that anchors a room immediately.
This set has been gently used and carefully stored over many years and remains a strong, complete example of Anthony’s work. Original printed notes are included, along with the original wooden storage box, which bears handwritten notes from the sculptor on the lid — a rare and personal detail seldom retained with surviving sets.
Now offered as part of The Vault, Planet Retro’s most selective collection, this piece has been chosen for its rarity, integrity, and long-term collectability. Complete examples with original box and documentation are increasingly difficult to source in New Zealand, making this a standout collector’s piece.