TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC CHESSMEN
WITH HANDMADE ASHTAPADA STYLE VELVET PLAYING MAT
made in Rajasthan, India

TRADITIONAL ANCIENT STYLE ISLAMIC CHESS SET

There is a centuries-old tradition in many Islamic countries to create chess sets of entirely lathe-turned pieces. No knights’ heads or asymmetrical touches are allowed in this strikingly geometric design. The playing mat, with no alternate “checkering” of the squares, and with certain squares marked by X’s is the oldest known style of chessboard, the ‘ashtapada’, originating among Indian scholars and game players centuries before chess came about.

These chessmen and playing mat are from Rajasthan, India, where the traditional Islamic pieces are still sometimes used, and not far from the earliest references to chess in ancient manuscripts.

THE PIECES

The pieces are made of wood, hand painted and protected.
Size: the King is approximately 2.5 inches (64 mm) tall.
The pieces alone weigh approximately 1  pound.
They are padded on the bottoms for enjoyable play.

THE PLAYING MAT

The playing mat is handmade of red velvet, with metallic gold ribbon double stitched to create the ashtapada design. It is backed on the bottom with an additional lining sheet of material.
Size: The mat measures approximately 19 inches on each side, with playing squares of 2¼ inches on each side.

SHIPPING

FREE SHIPPING within the U.S. by USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days).
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (see rate posted) USPS Priority Mail International (delivery times vary).
INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS MAY APPLY – Buyer must pay any customs or tariffs charged by destination country (VAT in Europe, etc.).