Nepal. Ned Munger, who had bought such set in London in 1951, states in his Cultures, Chess & Art, Volume 3: Pacific Islands & Asia Cultures, that the origin is Cambodia and the Queen is figured as an "Apsara", a female dancer at the royal court. However it is a rare case that Munger is incorrect. Holger Langer tells us that the set is from Nepal. The rook is in pagoda style, possibly the Cangu Narayan temple. The Bishop is in stupa style, specific Bodnath in the Kathmandu vicinity. Both are main architectural styles of Nepalese temples. The Knights are Nepalese leaping temple lions. King and Queen are also Nepalese mythologic figures. King as Garuda praying to snake god Takshaka and Queen as Nepalese Maruni dancer. Pawns are peasants kneeling in prayer. Holger Langer dates the sets between 1920-1950.
- Nepal
- Early to mid 20th century
- Wood K 6.8; p 4.2