{"product_id":"early-chess-pieces-from-the-deborah-freeman-fahid-9781915401212","title":"Early Chess Pieces from the Crossroads of Asia: The Timur Shah Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShowcases previously unpublished early chess pieces, from the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e7th to the 12th century CE, with insights from \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ea leading expert.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book presents an extraordinary collection of previously unpublished chess pieces dating from the 7th to 12th century CE, many gathered from regions surrounding Afghanistan. Chess, originating in north India, was adopted and developed by the Persian Sasanians, whose empire shaped Afghanistan and Central Asia until the 8th century Arab Muslim invasions. The area became a cultural crossroads, reflected in the diverse artistic traditions of the pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the highlights are early figural works, such as a dramatic wooden King or 'Queen' portrayed as a war elephant trampling figures, and a miniature ivory elephant, likely representing a bishop, decorated with classic Sasanian motifs. The collection also features abstract chessmen, typical of Islamic lands from the 8th to 15th centuries, with several carved from ivory, including unusually large examples and partial sets paired with ebony.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStriking finds include two rare red-stone chessmen, dating to around the 8th century, alongside pawns and gaming pieces crafted from lapis lazuli, jade and chalcedony. Together, these pieces illuminate ancient craftsmanship, cultural exchange, and the sculptural artistry within the evolution of chess.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Deborah Freeman Fahid\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1915401216\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781915401212\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Paul Holberton Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/30\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 160\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Deborah Freeman Fahid","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48435232080127,"sku":"9781915401212","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_db420f90-21a2-4548-9b5f-3adaf94062c5.jpg?v=1777149059","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/early-chess-pieces-from-the-deborah-freeman-fahid-9781915401212","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}