Four chessmen, carved wood

Chess probably originated in India in the 6th century B.C. Datable chessmen in an Islamic context are not known until the 9th century. Islamic chessmen are often highly stylized, like these four pieces, and it is often difficult to determine their status, something that is true of the largest of these, which is either a king or a queen.

The form of the bishop is based on an elephant and is consequently denoted with two “horns.” The shape of the knight is easier to recognize thanks to its animal-like features, and the smallest piece is a pawn.