Russian Kholmogory set
Russian Kholmogory set |
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| This set was carved from mammoth ivory in Kholmogory, Russia in the late 1700's. Note that the Queens are men, representing viziers. Bishops are represented as elephants, and even now the Arabic and Spanish words for Bishop is "alfil", with the same root at "elephant". Rooks are ships. A classic Kholmogory set. I believe that 3 pieces are replacements, carved in walrus ivory. | ||||