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
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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Two grand roundels: a flower on one face, an interlaced knot on the other.
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Deep relief: the ornament floats above a stippled, near-black ground.
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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.
