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.).