Hand crafted by Novocastrian in the North of England
At NOVOCASTRIAN our creations are elemental, they are humble yet timeless. We believe in the honest beauty of raw, natural materials. Metal is our obsession, the backbone of our work. Each and every one of our pieces is hand-crafted to order with passion and integrity by hardy northern souls. Our pieces are customizable, and we frequently work on a commission basis to craft entirely unique creations. We work internationally, delivering the very highest quality of design and workmanship to some of the world's most high—profile clients.
Today we introduce a special chess set in solid, hand-patinated brass and walnut. Hand crafted in the North of England to order. Available in a range of materials and finishes, Otterburn can truly be customised and utterly unique with endless options and personalisations.
WHY OTTERBURN?
Otterburn is an ancient village set deep in Northumberland's Cheviot Hills near the once treacherous English-Scottish border. Its significance dates back to 1388 when there was a major battle nearby between the English and Scottish armies.
The region has the most castles anywhere in the UK due to the centuries of fighting between various Clans and Kings, involving the English, the Scottish, the Vikings, the Normans, and the Celts among others. Consequentially, the borders are very much battle-hardened, a tradition which even as recently as the last century permeated local culture, the region providing the most soldiers to both World War efforts outside of London. To this day there is a huge military training camp near Otterburn.
"I find chess to be a hugely evocative game, the analogy of a medieval battlefield is of course unmistakeable. For many locals here, including myself, the idea of Otterburn evokes historical battles and this is where the idea for the name arose." says Richy Almond.
Each piece and chess board is individually handcrafted to order, based on a variety of finish options in 8-10 weeks. The Box 49cm (W) x 49cm (D) x 12cm (H). The Board - 45cm (W) x 45cm (D) x 2cm (H). The King — 3cm (W) x 3cm (D) x 10cm (H) . The Pieces — Brass, Bronze, Copper, Blackened Steel, Stainless Steel & Aluminium The Box — Walnut, Oak, special options on request.
HAND CRAFTED IN THE UK
Our creations are proud products of their environments, and materiality is an intrinsic component in defining this environment. We celebrate local materials wherever possible. All of our metal finishes are created in-house by our skilled craftspeople. We work also extensively with the very finest Cumbrian slates, sourced from England's Lake District, only 80 miles from our workshop. For the most special pieces, we work with a range of exquisite yet incredibly rare British marbles.
We create console tables, coffee tables, dining tables, shelving, side tables, mirrors and objects. We find fascination in the overlooked, the understated, the unappreciated. Our material palette continues to grow and evolve, yet metal and stone will always be the foundations on which we build.
WHO WE ARE
We use time-honoured techniques and an understated palette to create refined, contemporary aesthetics with just a hint of opulence. We embrace the quirks of the metal worker’s interpretation, encouraging his hand as much as the designer’s. Although metal is our speciality, the use of a carefully-curated range of Cumbrian slate and rare British marble permeates our work.
CONTACT
Our manufacturing base lies in North-East England’s industrial heartland, but we have a permanent presence in London. We deliver internationally and can have our craftsmen travel throughout the United Kingdom to install commissioned pieces where required.
+44 (0) 191 338 9802 or email Richy Almond, at info@novocastrian.co Follow us on Instagram to see the latest news or sign up for our newsletter on our website.
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