Pale Flower Wreath Armenian Backgammon Set with Corner Scrolls

Pale Flower Wreath Armenian Backgammon Set with Corner Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

A flower head sits at the heart of a wreath of curling leaves on this Armenian backgammon set, all of it left in pale wood inside a round frame on the dark-stained lid, with a spray of pale scrollwork in each corner and straight, plain edges. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

This is the lighter face of an old pattern. Every petal and leaf is edged in a fine dark line, the dark ground shows between them, and the whole roundel reads as cleanly as print from the far end of a room — a traditional ornament for a room with white walls and morning light. The other face carries a chequered panel of pale and dark squares, a knot stamped into every dark square, with the same pale scrolls at the corners.

Open it and the inside is all dark wood: long incised drops for the points, a ring of scrolls in each half, troughs along the rails with two round dice cups in each side rail. The board comes with 32 wooden checkers and dice, and two plain hinges on the spine fold it flat for the shelf.

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 roundel, the scrolls and the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Decoration: pale-wood flower-and-leaf wreath in a round frame, pale scrollwork in each corner, on a straight-edged dark lid; the same corner scrolls round a chequered panel with a knot stamped in every dark square on the other face; incised points and scroll roundels inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; dice
• 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

Why You'll Love It

• Bright, not busy: one pale roundel and four corner sprays on a dark ground — the board that suits a light, modern room.
• A knot in every square: turn it over and the chequered panel carries a stamped interlace on each dark square, framed by the same scrolls.
• Straight edges: the plain rectangular case sits flat on a shelf with the clasps closed.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the ornament carved in relief? No — the pale wreath and scrolls sit flush with the dark ground, edged in fine dark line, so this is a flat, high-contrast face rather than deep carving; the points and roundels inside are incised. The six photos show the board alone; checkers and dice 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? Wipe the faces with a dry, soft cloth and brush the incised points inside now and then. 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.