Armenian Plaited Knot Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Armenian Plaited Knot Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Not circles but braid: the roundel of this Armenian backgammon set is filled with plaited interlace, bands crossing over and under each other round a small flower boss, carved in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim, with leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Behind the lid, on the reverse, a grid of pale and dark squares is set flush across the middle, the leaf-and-grape scrolls carved out to either end of it.

Open, an eight-petal flower incised in a ring marks the middle of each half, drop-shaped points are cut above and below, and the bar edges are scalloped; the field sits within a raised rim rather than side troughs. Two plain brass-toned hinges, no cut-out grip. The six 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, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a disc of plaited interlace 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

• One knot, no gaps: the interlace runs to the rope rim with no plain ground inside the roundel, the densest pattern in the range.
• Old ornament, plain frame: straight edges, corner triangles and a rope border give the round knot a clean rectangle to sit in.
• Flower inside: an incised eight-petal flower marks the centre of each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are there rows of concentric circles? No — the old copy described rows of circles, but the lid carries one disc of plaited knotwork in a roundel. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the six 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 plaited bands 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.