Eight-Petal Star Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Eight-Petal Star Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Eight diamond petals radiate from a small round boss on this carved backgammon set — each petal stippled inside its raised rim, set on a cross-hatched ground in a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and corner triangles on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn the closed board over and the flat underside is set with a chequered panel of pale and dark inlaid squares, a carved leaf-and-grape cartouche at each end.

Open, each half carries an incised flower in a ring at its centre between rows of incised drop-shaped points with round tips; the bar edges are scalloped and a checker trough with a round cup at each end runs along every outer rail. Two plain brass-toned hinges join the halves; there is no cut-out grip. The five photos show the board alone.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: an eight-petal star of stippled diamonds round a central boss, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points with round tips, scalloped bar edges and an incised flower in a ring in each half; rail troughs with round cups at the ends
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Pattern, not picture: no animal or building here — a single geometric star, so the lid reads from across the room and never dates.
• Depth in the petals: each diamond is raised with a stippled hollow inside, so the star throws its own shadows.
• Cups on the rails: every trough ends in a round hollow that keeps the dice within reach.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Where is the octagon? There isn't one — the old title called it an octagon ornament, but the carving is an eight-petal star of diamonds round a round boss. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the five photos show the board only with two plain hinges, and the checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification.

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 stippled petals and the cross-hatched ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces 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.