The game of chess is believed to have originated in India during the Gupta period (mid-3rd century – 543 AD). Originally known as chaturanga and subsequently as shatranj, it has remained a popular game in India. A favorite royal pastime, it is often depicted in Indian miniatures paintings, along with other board games such as pachisi and chaupar. The polychrome enamel colors and the style of gem setting on the present pieces suggest that the set was probably made in Jaipur in North India. A group of chaupar gaming pieces dated to the 19th century which are enameled in a similar palette of colors are illustrated in U. Bala Krishnan and M. Kumar, Indian Jewelry: Dance of the Peacock, New Delhi, 2010, fig. 188, p. 133.
A complete set of similar chess pieces were sold from the Collection of Ann and Gordon Getty, Christie's, New York, 10 October 2022, lot 1119. Another complete set, by repute from the collection of the Maharaja of Indore, sold Christie's, London, 24 October 2019, lot 135.