The Lewis Chessmen are a medieval chess set from the 12th century. They are made from walrus ivory, thought to be of Norse origin, but were found on a beach on the Isle of Lewis in 1831. Eleven of these chess pieces are housed in the National Museum of Scotland, while the remainder are in the British Museum. These chess pieces are loved by many and have provided the inspiration for TV and film.
This scarf features all the major players on the board, the king, the queen, the bishop, the knight on a horse, the warder, and everyone’s favourite, the berserker biting his shield. The pattern in the middle is inspired by the beautiful knotwork featured on the back of one of the queen’s chairs. The scarf is also reversible, featuring the inverted colours on the other side, echoing the checkered pattern of a chess board.
This scarf measures 140 × 18cm and is made from acrylic and lycra. Made in the EU 🇪🇺
Aoife Cawley is a printmaker and textiles artist from county Kildare, now working between Ireland and Scotland. Graduating in 2024 with First Class Honours in Contemporary Art Practice from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, her work explores folklore, mythology, history, and early Christian saints, blending traditional medieval art forms with contemporary techniques.
Her vibrant, multi-layered screen prints and embroidered textiles have been exhibited widely in Ireland and the UK, and she has been featured in media outlets such as The Irish Times, RTÉ, and Tourism Ireland. In 2024, she was artist in residence at Creative Spark, Dundalk, and the Hugo Burge Foundation, in the Scottish Borders.
