The Wooden Lacquered Chinese Checkers Set

Only available from Hammacher Schlemmer, this is the hand-painted Chinese Checkers game imported directly from the Zhejiang province of China, and, unlike lesser versions made with plastic pieces, this set comes with 60 colored glass beads for play. Originally called Halma from the Greek word for "jump," the game was developed by John Smith, a Harvard Medical School surgeon in 1883, and grew in popularity during the 1920s and 30s, when it was renamed Chinese Checkers. The handmade set is carefully hand-painted with a dragon and a phoenix, traditional symbols representing the perfectly matched pair of the emperor and empress in traditional Chinese mythology. The plywood set is protected by a travel case of red-lacquered medium-density fiberboard. Ages 8 and up. The manufacturer has confirmed that this item meets U.S. Federal toy safety standards for lead. 13 1/2" diam. x 2 1/2" D. (4 1/2 lbs.)