Carved Interlace Roundel Armenian Backgammon Set with Corner Scrolls

Carved Interlace Roundel Armenian Backgammon Set with Corner Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Strands pass over and under one another in a woven interlace roundel at the centre of this Armenian backgammon set, a small flower at the hub and a stippled ground between the strands, with a fleur-tipped scroll bracket carved into each corner of the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

This is the quiet one: no animal, no lettering, just ornament and plain wood. The interlace is cut deep enough for every crossing to throw a shadow, and the four corner brackets are cut the same way, so the lid changes as the light moves across it. The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and medium squares with the same brackets in its corners.

The playing side is plain by design — long incised drops for the points, a scroll ring in the middle of each half, troughs along the rails and a pair of round dice cups let into each side rail — so the checkers, not the carving, hold your eye during the game. 32 wooden checkers and a dice set come with it, and two plain hinges fold the halves flat.

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 and clasps
• Carving: woven interlace roundel with a flower hub on a stippled ground, fleur-tipped scroll brackets in the four corners of a straight-edged lid; the same corner brackets round an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and a ring of scrolls in each half; checker troughs along the rails, two round dice cups in each side rail
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice set

Why You'll Love It

• Ornament only: one carved roundel and four corner brackets on plain wood — the board for a room that does not want a lion on the table.
• Deep interlace: the strands are cut in relief with a stippled ground between them, not scratched in line.
• Straight edges: the plain rectangular case sits flat on a shelf with the clasps closed.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the interlace carved in relief? Yes — the strands stand above a stippled ground and cross over and under one another, and the corner brackets are cut in relief too; the close-up photo shows the depth. The five photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 ground between the strands and the corner brackets with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and store it closed.

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