Classic chess pieces are iconic. So are instantly-recognizable city skylines. The creators of Skyline Chess managed to combine both influences for a one-of-a-kind, architecturally-inspired line.
The London-based company was founded by designers Ian Flood and Chris Prosser, whose unique blend of creativity and architectural backgrounds led them to this striking idea: creating high-end chess pieces in top-of-the-line materials that resemble some of the most iconic destinations in the world.
During this January 2019 season of Maison & Objet, the House Tipster Industry team had the chance to speak exclusively with Chris Prosser, who took us through the earliest sparks of the idea right up to the company’s latest expansion plans.
“I started the company Skyline Chess with my colleage Ian Flood. We’re both architects through training, we worked in the architectural industry for a number of years,” Prosser explained. “We actually came up with the concept one evening: we shared a house together, and we’d have dinner and play chess after work. This came out of a conversation of, ‘What if we could change chess pieces into buildings?'”
Not just any buildings, either: some of the most recognizable landmarks on earth.
“We started with our London set, because that’s home for us,” Prosser said. “We crowd-funded the first attempt, at which point we realized there was some interest in it and managed to get ourselves through production. We’ve grown and added new cities to our range: New York, San Francisco, Dubai, and a new Paris wire frame concept that we’re trying for this show.”
While there’s a dose of whimsy and a touch of novelty in Skyline Chess’ creations, their luxury game boards aren’t just any souvenir items.
“As we’ve grown, we decided to introduce more interesting materials,” Prosser added. “So we cast in resins that we then mix with powders to get this really nice metallic finishes. We also cast in bronzes, and then plating in different finishes.”
In addition to the fine finishes, Skyline Chess also adds an additional charming touch to their products.
“We like to twin our sets with a map of the city from where they’re from,” Prosser explained. “What we love about the concept is that it’s a kind of snapshot in time of the city. As it changes, we can add new buildings or bring new pieces in, or do limited editions.”
The company also offers a bespoke chess set design service as well, which lends itself to endless luxury customization.
“So if you have a brief for a particular kind of client, we can tailor a set to your needs,” Prosser said.
Skyline Chess’ products are as much for exquisite home displaying as they are for playing, gifting, and collecting.
“It’s a great gift for tourists, for collectors, for family members at Christmas,” Prosser said. “If you want something that’s more of a statement piece, you might have one of the bronze sets which are heavier, solid-cast, and more of a centerpiece. They appeal to a wide customer base, and what we quite like is they’re able to tell a story of a city, of a time, or a memory.”
