MONGOLIAN COLLECTABLES

MONGOLIAN COLLECTABLES

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Mongolian Antique HAND-CARVED CHESS SET

Superb Antique Mongolian “Shatar” Chess Set

Uniquely conceived, hand-carved and hand-painted.

(Provincial, 18^th century or earlier)

Throughout history Mongolians have maintained a very high regard for the game of chess – it embodies strategy, wisdom and adversity. Mongolian chess exists in two variants. Mongolian names for them are as following: the little one – shatar, the big one – hiashatar. The word “shatar” derivates from name of Arabian chess “shatranj”. Presumably since the chess game came to Mongolia from Arabia through Iran (the most probable version).

It is a Mongolian tradition that they must play chess in peaceful and deferential atmosphere. During the game the chess players sometimes forget all but nevertheless they continue to control their emotions, and game practically never turns into quarrel. It is considered as improper behaviour to boast of victory. There are many Mongolian myths and legends which refer to the game of chess and its mastery. According to the popular Mongolian belief passionate chess players have a very long life. In many ways the attributes of single-pointed concentration and meditative action that embody the Mongolian approach to chess aligns well with Buddhist practise.

Mongolian have following names for their chess pieces:

· King – noyon (prince, duke). Sometimes depicted as feudal lord or Khan riding upon a horse. Sometimes, the white king resembles a figure of venerable, stout and very honorable man with a beard, a partisan of old times and conservatism. The black king is an absolute antipode – it is a figure of thin and beardless young man, personifying new times and progress.

· Queen – bers (fantastic animal resembling a big dog). However there are also other candidates for queens – big cats. For white pieces it may be a figure of white lion with green mane, for black pieces – a figure of snow leopard.

· Bishop – teme (camel) and Knight – mori (horse). Horses (knights) and camels (bishops) can have sexual distinctions: on one flank stallions and male camels stand, on other flank – mares and female camels.

· Rook – tereg (chariot, vehicle). Rook can be represented not only by chariot, but also by wheel, dragon, fairy bird garuda, peacock’s train, fan, and in modern chess sets – by car or tank. Pawns can be made not only as little dogs (puppies), but also as lion or tiger cubs, hares and birds.

· Pawn – fu (child, young). In this set the pawns are either small child on galloping horse or young wrestlers. Sometimes queen and pawn have the same shape, but different sizes – queen is a big dog, and pawn is a puppy or a little dog.

Interestingly, the pawns are as follows and align with Mongolian Nadaam and competitions where one can progress to champion (ie like the pawn can become a queen):

* nadaam child riders (you know the horse race with kids)
* nadaam wrestlers (doesn't gel with generalization re pawns being child-like but hey Mongolian chess was renowned for regional variants and idiosyncrasies in rules and pieces)

The hand-carved pieces in this chess set are absolutely unique and representative of the very best 18^th century provincial work. Both horse (knight) and camel(bishop) present in both their male and female aspect - as is expected in an authentic traditional set such as this. The rendering of both the dog/lion queens and galloping Khan/kings are particularly powerful. Moreover, the distinctive approach taken to portraying pawns in the opposing sets is remarkable and rarely seen. As expected the original paintwork has faded with age and handling – the pieces even retain that smell steeped in butter oil smoke from centuries in a nomadic context. The pieces come complete with a hand made wooden box and an old (possible not original) chess board.

In the game of Shatar, there are various rules of the game of shatar, and participants usually specify the rules before the beginning of game. A general description of the rules is at the following internet sites:

Mongolian Chess. http://www.chessvariants.com/oriental.dir/shatar.html

Mongolian Chess. http://www.chessvariants.com/play/erf/Shatar.html

Size of Largest Piece: -Approximately 2.25 inches (5.5 cm) Tall

2.5 inches (6.5 cm) W

Board Size: 18.15 inches (46 cm) W X 18.15 inches (46 cm) H

If you would like to see more pictures, please don't hesitate to ask and I will send you a zip file full of them.