Hnefatafl with board and game pieces

Hnefatafl is a traditional Nordic board game. Its Icelandic name comes from the words hnefi (“the king in chess”) and tafl (“game board”). In English, it is sometimes called King’s Table.

The game has a long history and is considered a predecessor of chess. Findings indicate that a variant of the game existed in Scandinavia as early as around 400 AD. It is played by two players on a board with an uneven number of squares, where the pieces move in the same way as the rook in chess—horizontally or vertically, without jumping over other pieces or moving diagonally.

One player controls a king and tries to move him to one of the board’s corners, while the opponent uses their pieces to block and prevent the king’s escape.

Scanglas sells handcrafted products made from various materials such as glass, metal, horn, bone, and wood. Each product is unique, with natural variations in color, finish, size, and shape that reflect the charm of genuine craftsmanship.

Our historical glassware consists of meticulously crafted replicas that capture the 2000-year history of glassblowing. Each piece is mouth-blown and handmade, featuring details such as decorations and glass threads, giving them an authentic character. A hallmark of handmade glass is the punt mark on the underside, the softly rounded edge on the rim, and subtle variations in size, thickness, and details. The specially formulated glass material mimics historical color tones and includes small air bubbles and structural variations, which together contribute to the glassware's unique and genuine character.

In addition to glass, we also offer products made of metal, horn, bone, and wood. These items are carefully crafted using traditional techniques to preserve their natural properties and highlight the authenticity of the craftsmanship.