Tree of Life on Dark Disc Backgammon Set

Tree of Life on Dark Disc Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

Roots spread as wide as the crown on this Armenian backgammon set: a tree of life in pale wood, every leaf cut separately, stands on a near-black disc at the centre of a lid carved with a diamond lattice and stippled lobed panels inside a rope border. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Flip it for the shelf and the tree gives way to a chequered panel, light and dark squares let in flush between the lattice panels, each of which holds a carved whorl.

The playing side is photographed set up: 32 ridged wooden checkers, sixteen pale and sixteen dark, on fleur-tipped inlaid points, with a sun-wheel roundel ringed in scrolls inlaid at the centre of each half, grips in the rails, corner dice recesses and brass-toned hinges. Two dice and a dark cloth carrying bag are included.

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 inlays and brass-toned hinges
• Decoration: pale inlaid tree of life with roots on a dark disc, diamond lattice and stippled lobed panels carved on the lid; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs on the other face
• Checkers: 32 ridged wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid sun-wheel roundel ringed with scrolls in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Bag: dark cloth carrying bag
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 ridged wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Dark cloth carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Roots as well as crown: the tree is inlaid whole, roots fanning out below the trunk to match the leaves above.
• Pale on near-black: the disc behind the tree is stained darker than the lid, so the leaves stand out sharply.
• Sun wheels inside: an inlaid roundel ringed with scrolls in each half beside the points.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the bag included? Yes — a dark cloth carrying bag is photographed with this board and comes with it, along with the checkers and dice. The tree is a pale wood inlay rather than relief carving; the carving on the lid is the lattice and border. There is no cut-out top grip; the board lifts by the grips in its rails.

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 the inlaid faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice with a soft dry brush. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed in its bag with the checkers inside.

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