Arabs Playing Chess, 1282
Medieval manuscript illumination of two Arabs playing chess in a tent. The Libro de los Juegos, (Book of games), or Libro de acedrex, dados e tablas, (Book of chess, dice and tables) was commissioned by Alfonso X, King of Spain and completed in his scriptorium in Toledo in 1283. Consisting of 97 leaves of parchment with 150 miniatures. The text is a treatise that addresses the playing of three games: a game of skill, or chess; a game of chance, or dice; and a third game, backgammon, which combines elements of both skill and chance. The book contains the earliest known description of some of these games, including many games imported from the Arab kingdoms.
Size: 3510px × 3474px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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