01 BRIEF
Brief and consultation
Tell us the place, building, residence, city or milestone behind the commission — anything with a shape worth keeping. You work directly with one of the company directors throughout.
Private residences · Royal palaces · Museums · Private collectors · Sports Teams · Luxury travel · Private equity firms
Every private commission is built around a single brief and overseen, from first conversation to final delivery, by one of the company directors.
Tell us the place, building, residence, city or milestone behind the commission — anything with a shape worth keeping. You work directly with one of the company directors throughout.
We translate the brief into pieces, boards and presentation details. We recommend materials, including Italian Carrara marble, finishes, scale, engraving and personalisation options, then refine the direction with you. Nothing is made without your approval.
Depending on the brief, pieces are cast, finished and assembled by specialist makers, with final quality control carried out by Skyline Chess. Bronze pieces are hand-cast in Birmingham using the lost-wax technique. Finished commissions are presented in a luxury box with a certificate of authenticity.
From full thirty-two-piece custom chess sets to single sculptural pieces and standalone boards, each private commission is designed, made and presented as a one-off.
One-off custom chess sets designed around a favourite city, private residence, family home, landmark building, journey, collection or personal story. Each bespoke chess set can be developed with bespoke pieces, board design, engraving and presentation details.
Custom chess boards in Italian Carrara marble, hand screen-printed wood and other finishes. Made to bespoke dimensions, engraved with names, dates, coordinates or personal details, or commissioned as a standalone board to pair with an existing set.
Individual custom chess pieces — a single sculptural king, a replacement queen, or a one-off architectural figure based on a meaningful building or place. Bronze pieces are cast using the lost-wax method and hand-finished to the same standard as our flagship editions.
A small selection of bespoke commissions and special projects, showing the range of subjects, materials and presentation formats we can create.
Tell us what you have in mind — the place, building, occasion, material preference, budget range or deadline. A reference image or sketch helps, but is not required.
Please contact Ian to discuss the creation of your bespoke chess set: Email: Ian@skyline-chess.com | Phone: +44 2038242367
Or simply complete the form below.
Skyline Chess accepts private commissions worldwide. Share the place, building, occasion, material preference and deadline, and we will come back with the most suitable direction.
A clear brief helps: subject, number of pieces, board requirements, preferred materials, any engraving or personalisation, delivery destination and timeline. A reference image or sketch helps, but is not required.
Commissions range from full bespoke chess sets to board-only commissions, individual custom chess pieces, engraved monograms, hand screen-printed boards and custom presentation packaging.
Yes. Custom chess boards can be made in Italian Carrara marble, hand screen-printed wood and other finishes, with bespoke dimensions, engraving or personal details.
Yes. Individual custom chess pieces can be commissioned as single sculptural pieces, replacement pieces or part of a complete set, depending on the brief. Bronze pieces are cast using the lost-wax method and hand-finished to the same standard as our flagship editions.
Yes. Sets can be personalised — or personalized, for US clients — with engraved messages, monograms, dates, coordinates, crests or presentation details.
Yes. Bespoke chess sets can be commissioned for milestones, anniversaries, retirements, collector pieces and heirloom gifts. Lead times depend on materials and complexity.
Yes. Larger commissioned runs, branded gifts and client presentations should go through the corporate commissions page.
Materials depend on the brief. Previous commission options include bronze, steel, Italian Carrara marble, hand screen-printed wood and other finishes.
Timing depends on the complexity of the brief, materials, approvals, finishing and delivery destination. A timeline is confirmed after the initial brief.
There is no minimum quantity for private commissions where a single sculptural piece or one-off set is being made.
Each private commission is quoted individually after the brief, materials, scale, finishing and presentation requirements are understood.