Armenian Knotwork Backgammon Set 50 cm with Leaf Scrolls

Armenian Knotwork Backgammon Set 50 cm with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Smaller than most of the range, this Armenian backgammon set gives its whole roundel to a disc of interlaced knotwork — plaited bands over and under round a flower boss, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim, with leaf scrolls and a rope border on the straight-edged lid. 50 × 50 cm / 19.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The underside is not left plain either — pale and dark squares are inlaid flush across the middle of the reverse, with the leaf-and-grape scrolls carved again at both ends.

Open, an eight-petal flower is incised in a ring in the middle of each half, with drop-shaped points cut above and below and scalloped bar edges; the points sit inside a raised rim without side troughs. Two plain brass-toned hinges, no cut-out grip. The seven photos show the board alone.

Specifications

• Size open: 50 × 50 cm / 19.6″ × 19.6″
• Size folded: 50 × 25 cm / 19.6″ × 9.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a disc of interlaced knotwork round a flower boss, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a straight-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, scalloped bar edges and an incised eight-petal flower in a ring in each half; raised rim, no side troughs
• 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

• The 50 cm size: ten centimetres shorter than the standard board — easier to keep on a shelf and to carry to the table, with the same carved lid.
• Braid to the rim: the knotwork fills the roundel edge to edge, with no plain ground left inside the rope.
• Flower inside: an incised eight-petal flower marks the centre of each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How does this compare with the 60 cm knotwork board? Same lid design in a smaller format: 50 cm open instead of 60, and the playing side has a plain raised rim rather than side troughs with cups. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the seven 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 knotwork 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.