Michael Mark writes: “ Exhibit 56 is from the Indian Sub-Continent. Such playing pieces are commonly described as Muslim, but their design as games pieces appears to antedate Islam by at least 2000 years. Although originating in India and continuing in use there until the present century with only minor changes, they appear to have been known and used througout the Islamic world, and also in parts of medieval Europe.”
Michael Mark, Chessmen, Practical and Ornamental, 1986.