Piero Benzoni has retired for bronze working and making these sets but his chess tables, stools and pieces were always designed after a great period / era or famous past world leaders in particular. This set is one of his older ones and most likely from the late 1970's to somewhere in the 1980's. The name of this set is "Louis XIV / Luigi XIV", Louis XIV of Bourbon also known as "Louis the Great / Louis le Grand" or the "Sun King / Roi Soleil ", reigned as King of France starting on the 14th of May 1643, when he was 4 years old, until his death in September 1715. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country in European history, definitely worthy of having such a fine chess set crafted in his honor almost 300 years after his death and this set is fine enough to be in his famed Palace of Versailles.

One set has gold bodies with silver accents while the other has silver bodies with gold accents. From the king's scepter to the cavalry men's riding on rearing horses trimmed in finery, to the ornate towers with raised silver and gold repousse work the level of detail to each individual piece is incredible and they are all magnificent!

Each piece is individually hallmarked with the script "Piero Benzoni" makers mark on the back or on the backs of their legs, one cartouche along the table skirt bears his makers mark as well.

The 15 pawns stand 4" tall by 1.25" wide across their bases. The 4 knights stand 4-1/8" tall by 3.5" long across the horses body's by wide 1.75" across the bases. The 4 bishops stand 4-3/8" tall by 1.75" wide across their bases. The 4 rooks stand 4-3/8" tall by 1.75" wide across their bases. The queens stand 4-5/8" tall by 1.75" wide.