ANCIENT ARABIAN "OBLONG" CHESS with 16 x 4 and 8 x 8 SQUARE PLAYING MATS (M32b)

Description

THE NISHAPUR CHESS SET
with “OBLONG” 16 x 4 MAT
8 x 8 Mat Also Included
A FAITHFUL REPRODUCTION OF THE 9th CENTURY PIECES
An Ancient Variant
Several ancient Arabic manuscripts describe this interesting variant of chess, as it was played in the ancient world.
The basic rules of ancient chess are adhered to, but on a long and narrow board, calling for very different development and playing dynamics.
This set includes instructions for the seven basic ways of arranging the pieces, with full instructions for playing in the ancient style.
Beautiful Vinyl Mats
The special mat for playing this is very long – 26 x 6 1/2 inches! It is completed in the traditional “uncheckered” style of pre-European chess variants.
Also included is a standard 8 x 8 square mat, also created in the ancient style, so that the usual ancient game can be played as well.
Rules Included
Every thing you need to know is included, to play chess in the ancient Arab style -- both on the 8 x 8 and 16 x 4 chessboard.
The 9th Century Chessmen
One of the most extraordinary archaeological finds in the history of chess are the 9
th
century Nishapur chessmen, unearthed during a series of excavations in Nishapur, Iran (formerly Persia), carried out by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, between 1935 and 1939.
The original pieces were small (tallest piece 1 3/8 inches) carved of ivory, elegantly styled with vertical folds; one side was stained green. They are the earliest known pieces to exhibit the classic Shatranj style — a style which lasted for at least eight centuries and spread as far west as Africa's western coast, and as far north as Scandinavia. By far, the longest lasting conventional form of chessmen in all of history.
Note: the original archeological chess pieces, shown in the last two pictures.
A Faithful Reproduction
The Nishapur Chess Set is skillfully crafted to recreate the look and feel of the original Persian pieces. Cast in the most durable casting stone, naturally heavy, the light pieces are given a deep antique stain and the dark pieces stained green and antiqued to accentuate the forms, this replica simulates the look, feel, weight, size and durability of the original ivory and green stained pieces.
The playing mats are uncheckered, in the typical ancient Persian style, made durable vinyl. The surfaces show graphic images of natural wood grain.
This marvelous replica is available
exclusively
through AncientChess (rickofricks on eBay).
A Unique, Hand Crafted Collector's Item
The exact detail and staining be different with every set, not exactly as the set pictured here. Each set is hand crafted and individually finished. These pieces are guaranteed for durability and excellence in quality.
Shipping
Shipping is by Priority Mail 2-3 days with in the U.S.; times vary to other countries.
International Buyers must pay any applicable import tax or duties (such as VAT in Europe), levied by the receiving country.