Grand Flower and Knot Armenian Backgammon Set Carved on Both Faces

Grand Flower and Knot Armenian Backgammon Set Carved on Both Faces — Handmade in Armenia

A flower opens at the centre of one face of this carved Armenian backgammon set, four palmettes and four scrolled leaves radiating from it inside a rope ring; on the other face the same ring holds an interlaced knot, its strands looping over and under in the Armenian manner, with shield-shaped lattice panels either side and an egg-and-dart moulding round the edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

The wood is stained to a deep espresso, so the high edges of the relief catch the light while the stippled ground behind them stays almost black. Open the wooden backgammon board and the mood lifts: pale points tipped with small palmettes rise against the dark field, a two-tone sun-wheel sits at the centre of each half inside a ring of vines, and long recesses along the sides hold the checkers.

For play you get wooden checkers, half dark and half pale, and a pair of dice; for the shelf, a clasp on each side and brass hinges keep the roundels face out.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood in a dark espresso finish, with pale inlaid points inside; brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: flower with palmettes and scrolled leaves in a rope ring on one face, interlaced knot in the same ring on the other, shield-shaped lattice panels, egg-and-dart edge; pale inlaid points and two-tone sun-wheels inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two grand roundels: a flower on one face, an interlaced knot on the other.
• Deep relief: the ornament floats above a stippled, near-black ground.
• A lighter interior: pale palmette-tipped points and sun-wheels on espresso.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the ornament carved? Yes — the petals, palmettes and knot strands are cut in deep relief, the ground behind them is stippled point by point and the rope ring and egg-and-dart edge are worked in the wood; nothing is pressed or printed. The points and sun-wheels inside are pale wood let into the dark field.

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? Dust the relief with a soft brush and wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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