Luxury Woven Knot Armenian Backgammon Set with Carved Ornaments

Luxury Woven Knot Armenian Backgammon Set with Carved Ornaments — Handmade in Armenia

A disc of woven interlace fills the middle of the lid on this luxury Armenian backgammon set, strand over strand round a fluted boss inside a beaded ring, with knotted scrollwork and a fluted shell fan in each corner and a dotted border round the whole face — carved in relief across a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set where the pattern is the point: the strands of the weave pass under and over each other and are undercut where they cross, the scrolls curl back on themselves in tight knots, the shells are fluted like real ones, and the ground behind everything is stippled so the relief stands clear. A plain moulded rim finishes the edge and small brass clasps hold it shut.

Inside is the plain wood, its grain showing: points drawn as single scored lines with arrowhead tips, a round lined disc in each half, arched scallops at the ends and a trough beneath them for the checkers and dice.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the figure of the grain showing inside
• Carving: woven interlace disc round a fluted boss in a beaded ring, knotted scrollwork and shell fans in the corners, dotted border on a stippled ground; carved panels on the far face; line-work points, a lined disc in each half and arched scallops inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• A knot you can follow: every strand of the central weave goes under and over the next.
• Shells in the corners: four fluted fans among the scrollwork, each cut in the round.
• Plain inside: figured wood, line-work points and a lined disc in each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? It is — every strand, scroll and shell is relief left standing when the wood round it was cut back and stippled, the panels on the far face likewise, and the field inside is scored into the wood rather than printed on it. No pressing, no applied parts.

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? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Dust the carving with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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