Royal Chess Mall's 1849 Jaques Reproduction

An online purchase from a charity shop - I had just finished playing a game of chess with my youngest son.  He had chosen the set to play with (a late 18th century ivory set), and I had underestimated how distracted I would be by his baggy sleeved arm wafting, reaching and sweeping over the board.  I was convinced that, at any moment, one of the pieces would catch on his hoodie and go flying onto the hard kitchen floor.  Anyways, this is by way of saying that, following that game,  I decided to buy a more sturdy modern set.  Indeed, this set is more likely to dent the floor than to break. Kings are an impressive 4.54" tall.

In isolation, one might quite like this set.  But standing it next to an original Jaques Staunton reveals the differences (aka deficiencies) were one to be tempted to call this a reproduction rather than a set "inspired by" an early Jaques.  There is undoubted skill in the making of the set - but it lacks the finesse and delicate lines of an original, most notably in the pawn collars, kings' crosses, and general "thick" turning.

Comparing a "repro"* with an original Jaques is, I think, a bit akin to how people who drink "real" coffee view instant coffee: as a pale, insulting imitation (some go further in their expression of disdain).  I personally always drink instant at home, and it is, in and of itself, perfectly lovely (for me, anyway) - so long as I don't have a freshly brewed cup of coffee with which to make a direct taste comparison.  And, speaking of instant coffee...the "antiquing" on the set is not to my taste.  Were I to ever buy such a set new (unlikely), then I would opt for the standard finish, rather than the marmite/coffee antique varnish.

*I will caveat that statement by saying that Official Staunton (officialstaunton.com) have some absolutely remarkable looking Jaques reproductions which I would, I think, be more than happy to own!