Knotwork Discs Backgammon Set, Carved Both Sides — Handmade in Armenia
Both outer faces of this Armenian backgammon set are carved, and differently: one carries a disc of tight interlaced knotwork, the other a larger disc where knotted bands spiral round a small blossom inside a ring of trefoils, each between leaf sprays inside a rope border. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.
There is no chequered panel here at all; whichever way up the closed board lies, a carved disc faces the room, and the field of each face is left smooth so the relief catches the light.
Inside, a pale inlaid roundel — a wheel of petals inside a ring of curled leaves — sits in each half between fleur-tipped inlaid points, with round dice recesses in the rails and brass-toned hinges. The board is straight-edged with no cut-out grip.
Specifications
- Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
- Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
- Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale inlays inside, brass-toned hinges
- Carving: an interlaced knot disc on one face and a star-knot disc with a central blossom and trefoil ring on the other, each between two leaf sprays, rope-and-leaf borders, cross-hatched corners
- Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
- Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid wheel roundel in each half, round dice recesses in the rails
- Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front hook clasps
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding beech backgammon board
- 32 wooden checkers
- Two dice
Why You'll Love It
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Two faces, two discs: no plain back — the reverse is carved as fully as the front, with its own design.
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Pattern only: no emblem, flag or lettering, so it sits in any room.
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Roundels inside: pale inlaid wheels face each player between the points.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the field inside the border calm and open? No — the old copy described a carved frame round an empty field, but both faces carry a large carved disc with leaf sprays; there is no open field and no chequered back. The five photos show the board only, so the checkers and dice come from the maker's specification and the carrying bag mentioned before is not included.
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? Brush the discs and leaf sprays with a soft dry brush and wipe the smooth fields with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
