How is an olive wood chessboard handcrafted? A look behind the scenes.

How is an olive wood chessboard handcrafted? A look behind the scenes.

A handcrafted olive wood chessboard is more than just a game board – it's a work of art that lasts for generations. But how is such a masterpiece created? We'll take you on a journey from the workshop to the finished chess set.

Step 1: Selecting the wood

It all starts with selecting the right wood. We exclusively use wood from old, no longer fruitful olive trees that are 80-150 years old.

What do we pay attention to:

• Density and hardness of the wood
• Beautiful, vibrant grain
• No large cracks or knots
• Uniform coloring

Only about 30% of the wood meets our high quality standards!

Step 2: Drying (6-12 months)

Freshly cut olive wood still contains a lot of moisture. Therefore, it must be dried slowly and gently.

• Natural air drying in the shade
• Duration: 6-12 months depending on wood thickness
• Target: Residual moisture below 12%

This process cannot be sped up – patience is the key to a crack-free board!

Step 3: Cutting and planning

Now the dried wood is cut to size:

• Removal of bark and sapwood
• Cut into boards of the desired thickness
• Planning the grain for optimal appearance

An experienced craftsman can immediately recognize which piece of wood is best suited for which part of the chessboard.

Step 4: Create a checkerboard pattern

This is where the real art begins:

Method 1: Intarsia Technique

• Light and dark olive wood is cut into strips.
• The strips are glued together.
• After drying, cut crosswise.
• Re-gluing at a 90° angle creates the checkerboard pattern.

Method 2: Inlay work

• Dark squares are milled into light wood.
• A precise fit is crucial.
• Each square is inserted and glued individually.

Step 5: Sanding and smoothing

Now the board is being perfected:

• Coarse sanding (grit 80-120)
• Medium sanding (grit 180-220)
• Fine sanding (grit 320-400)
• Polishing with 600+ grit

This process takes several hours and is done entirely by hand!

Step 6: Oiling and sealing

To protect the wood and highlight the grain:

• Applying food-grade olive oil or linseed oil
• Allow to soak in (4-6 hours)
• Polish with a soft cloth
• Repeat (3-5 rounds)

The oil penetrates deep into the wood, making it water-resistant and durable.

Step 7: Carving chess pieces

The chess pieces are the centerpiece:

• Each figure is carved by hand.
• Duration per figure: 30-90 minutes
• 32 figures = 20-40 hours of pure carving work!
• Each figure is unique.

The figures are also sanded, oiled, and polished.

Step 8: Quality control

Before a chess set leaves our studio:

• ✅ Inspection for cracks or defects
• ✅ Checking the dimensions and fit
• ✅ Figure stability test
• ✅ Final polish
• ✅ Swiss quality standards

Time required: A chess game is created

work step	Length of time
Wood drying	6-12 months
Cutting & Preparation	2-3 hours
checkerboard pattern	4-6 hours
Grinding & Polishing	3-5 hours
Oiling & Sealing	2-3 days
carving figures	20-40 hours
Quality control	1-2 hours
In total	6-12 months + 30-60 working hours

Why handmade is better

Machine production:

• Fast and affordable
• Uniform, but soulless
• Often inferior wood quality
• Short lifespan

Handmade:

• Each piece is unique
• Highest quality
• Perfect workmanship
• Durability across generations
• Supporting traditional crafts

Swiss quality at MediterraneanArt

At MediterraneanArt, we combine traditional Tunisian craftsmanship with Swiss quality standards. Every chess set is made by experienced craftsmen and tested according to the strictest standards.

The result: A chess set that not only invites you to play, but also enriches your room as a work of art.

Discover our handcrafted olive wood chess sets – Masterpieces that last for generations.