Media artist, Alexander Gelman, in collaboration with traditional Japanese artisans has designed an exquisite limited edition series of master chess sets.

The sleek and stunning sets are made of lacquer, silver plating and gold leaf — there are only 5 in the world, each is unique and priced up to $55,000.

Gelman and the artisans took up to 10 months to produce each piece by hand, using century old techniques.

The sets debuted in Tokyo, are currently in New York and will travel to Europe in early 2010.

As part of his foray into lacquerware, Gelman also designed a one of a kind $18,000 black lacquered bicycle made from the highest grade Shimano parts.