Star Wheel and Meander Ring Armenian Backgammon Set in Walnut

Star Wheel and Meander Ring Armenian Backgammon Set in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

Fine incised lines, not deep relief, make this pale walnut Armenian backgammon set: a many-pointed star wheel of tiny scrolls turns round a meander-keyed hub at the centre of the lid, ringed by a second meander band, with a stippled ground, lattice corners and a twisted-rope border round the edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Because the work is line rather than depth, the wooden backgammon board keeps a smooth, flat surface — the pattern reads like a drawing on the walnut. The other outer face carries a chequered panel, each square filled with an incised knot, between two eternity-swirl roundels in lattice-cut lunettes.

Inside, the halves are plain walnut with incised points and arrow tips, an incised eight-lobed wheel in each half, a row of arches along the end rails and a dice recess in each corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice come with the board.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, natural finish, brass hinges and clasps
• Decoration: incised star wheel in a meander ring with stippled and lattice ground, rope border; knot-filled chequered panel between eternity roundels on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Inside: incised points with arrow tips and an incised wheel in each half; arched end rails, corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• Line work: hundreds of small scrolls in the star, each one a clean incised stroke.
• Two meanders: a Greek-key ring at the hub and another round the whole wheel.
• Smooth to play on: the flat lid closes over a plain, quiet walnut interior.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is it carved in relief? No — this board is decorated with incised lines and stippling into a flat surface, so the star wheel and meanders sit level with the walnut rather than standing above it. Only the rope border and the lattice corners are cut with any depth.

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 with a dry, soft cloth; the flat surface needs no brush. Keep the board out of direct sun so the pale walnut stays even, and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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