Tree of Life Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes

Tree of Life Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia

Branches and leaves fill the top of the ring and roots the bottom: a pale-wood tree of life on a dark disc holds the centre of this Armenian backgammon set, framed by a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border. Four sizes, 30 to 60 cm square (11.8″ to 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.

The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and dark squares inside the same stepped frame and lattice, so the wooden backgammon set is decorated whichever side lies up.

Inside, fleur-tipped pale points run up to an inlaid knotwork roundel in each half, a trough along each rail holds the checkers, and the hinges are brass-toned. The turned checkers in two woods, the white dice and the black carrying bag are all photographed.

Specifications

• Size: four sizes — 30 × 30 cm, 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (11.8″, 15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
• Size folded: 30 × 15 cm, 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (11.8″ × 5.9″, 15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with a pale wood tree and inlays, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a pale-wood tree of life, branches above and roots below inside a ring, on a dark disc in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border; lattice and an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
• Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid knotwork roundel in each half; checker troughs along the sides
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Roots and branches: the whole tree is there, crown above and roots below, in pale wood on a dark ground.
• Four sizes: from a 30 cm board that travels to a full 60 cm board, same design on each.
• Everything photographed: checkers, dice and the carrying bag all appear in the listing photos.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which board is in the photos? One board, photographed for all four sizes; the tree disc, lattice and inlaid roundels inside are the same design at every size, and only the 30 cm board is a true travel size. The old copy's 'premium wood' is beech, and the checkers, dice and bag are photographed with it.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free worldwide and tracked. Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.

How do I look after it? Wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice and disc gently. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside, in the bag.

Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.