Art Foundry

Dublin Art Foundry was set up in 1970. It is the oldest Art Foundry in Ireland with a long history of working with many of the finest Irish and international sculptors.

Graham Knuttel has had a long association with the foundry. He is very good to work with, knows exactly what he wants and understands the whole process – its possibilities and limitations.

At some point along the way Graham mentioned doing a chess set and then several
months later he arrived into the foundry with the first four originals. For us at the foundry it was just the beginning of a very lengthy process.

First each piece had to be moulded and the wax was painted into the mould to get a
positive for casting. Each wax had to be approved and signed by Graham. A runner system is put on the piece and it is then shelled up. The wax is then burnt out of the shell and you are left with a hollow mould into which you pour the molten metal.

The pieces are then finished and the silvers sent to the Assay Office to be stamped and pronounced authentic. Irish silver is very highly regarded and the Assay Office are very strict on quality.

Every piece has the Irish Assay Mark, date stamp, 925 silver and the edition mark, as each chess piece is a unique sculpture in its own right.

The final finishing, polishing and patination is then done and checked by Graham.
The whole process is a lengthy but satisfying team effort. We of course couldn\’t wait to see the pieces and table together as the work takes on a whole new dimension when it leaves the foundry.

We are obviously delighted to be associated with this project.