In so many sets, even high quality ones, the kings are disproportionately large and the rooks somewhat too small.
The old Windsor Castle set was pretty good in this respect, but the knights were a tiny bit undersized and looked like goats.
As far as staunton style chess sets, the base width and piece height ratios have been pretty consist over the years. It’s not set in stone, but ratio of the base of the king to the square size has been pretty consistent at least since the Staunton style as been around.
Then after taking into consideration the square size, they can figure out the base width of the king, and then the height of the king. After that, the other pieces get smaller accordingly. Although the width and height ratios are not set in stone. There are and always will be more artistic sets that have different ratios, but even then, they take into consideration the size of the board squares, then the base width of the king, then the height of the king. The rest of the pieces will have their final specifications made after that.
I’d think even if a set was “modern art”, and not even made for playing chess, the people viewing the set, at an art gallery or whatnot, would expect the chess set to be made with some sort of “set in stone” mathematical ratio of piece sizes based on the height and width of the king. Failing that, and the people looking at the chess set would find it exceedingly odd for a chess set, even if it’s only purpose is that as a piece of art.
I am not happy with the brittle quality of the rooks in triple weighted plastic sets. The turrets crack too easily. Then the piece looks like a real, broken down medieval castle.
In wooden sets I am always afraid that the pawns will break with casual use or when stored. Either the top breaks off or the collar cracks. Replacing pieces or pawns for many older sets is very difficult.
Plastic sets suck. They always have. I used one set in college and one day I was rummaging around the attic and took a look at it years later. To say that plastic doesn’t really stand up to heavy use would be an understatement.
One time I bought a cheap tournament set for a friend’s grandson. He was telling his grandson that he should be still using it when he’s 60. I was telling him that wasn’t going to happen if he’s using it for tournament play. The entire set with the clock/board/pieces, move book and the bag to hold everything was under $40 if I recall. It was meant to be used, not put in the attic as a keepsake. 