The chess pieces of the Crèvecœur Castle

Heritage and Mixing

The Château de Crèvecœur houses three chess pieces made of walrus ivory — king (or "fierce"), knight, and pawn — dating from the 11th to 12th centuries. Their production likely stems from Scandinavian, English, or French workshops, while incorporating a strong Arab-Muslim influence visible in the decorations and motifs. This stylistic crossroad is situated in the context of the Norman expansion in the Mediterranean. The eyes of the knight, characteristic of the West, as well as the walrus ivory sourced from Iceland or Greenland, confirm this origin.

Discovered in 1865 by Mathilde Frigard, these pieces were later incorporated into Jeanne Schlumberger's collection in 1970.

A thorough study allows for a reconstruction of the missing elements — particularly the rook and the bishop — based on the coherence of the decorations: wheel motifs, traces of red pigments on the king, camp markers. Non-invasive scientific analyses complement this research. Macrophotography, using visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light, reveals pigments and residues. Photogrammetry produces precise 3D models, while electron microscopy identifies surface deposits and singularities.

All of this work culminates in an exhibition that traces the history of the pieces and presents the results of the studies. An interactive tablet allows visitors to explore the three-dimensional models. A complete reconstructed set, sculpted by Philippe Raugault, the last ivory maker from Dieppe, accompanies this presentation.

Practical Information:

Open to all

Admission fee: Adults €10 (low season) or €12 (high season, July-August) | Children aged 5 to 18, students, persons with disabilities: €5 (low season) or €6 (high season) | Free for children under 5 years.

Contact

Partnerships: Metropolitan Museums of Rouen, Marcel Gambier College in Lisieux, Alençon Penitentiary Center, Le Pays d'Auge Review