Tree of Life with Red Fruit Armenian Backgammon Set, 3 Sizes

Tree of Life with Red Fruit Armenian Backgammon Set, 3 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia

A Tree of Life carved in pale wood and hung with small red fruit spreads its branches inside the central roundel of this Armenian backgammon set, with a smaller cast-metal tree in a roundel at each end, a fine lattice across the dark lid and a cut-out carry handle. It comes in three sizes — 40, 50 or 60 cm square (15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″) — handmade in Armenia.

The tree is a separate piece of light wood with every leaf cut free of the next, set into the stippled roundel so it stands off the dark ground; the two metal trees are silver-toned. The other outer face of the wooden backgammon board has the same two emblems either side of a chequered panel.

Inside, pale points with arrow tips are inlaid into the dark-stained halves, a pale interlaced star roundel sits in each, the handle bars are rope-carved and every corner has a dice recess. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers and a pair of dice come with every size.

Specifications

• Size: three sizes — 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
• Size folded: 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
• Material: beech wood, dark stained with a pale wood tree and inlays, cast-metal emblems, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: pale-wood Tree of Life with red fruit in a roundel, two cast-metal trees, lattice ground; chequered panel between the same trees on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip with a rope-carved bar through the top edge of both halves
• Emblems: two silver-toned cast-metal trees on each outer face
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an interlaced star roundel in each half; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle and four metal emblems
• 32 turned wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Three trees: the big one in pale wood with red fruit, two small ones in cast metal.
• Leaves cut free: the central tree is worked as an open canopy, not a flat silhouette.
• Pick the size: small enough for a bag, or big enough for the dining table.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the big tree bronze? No — the central tree is pale wood, carved as an open canopy and set into the dark roundel, with red beads for fruit; only the four small trees at the ends are cast metal, silver in colour. The points and stars inside are pale wood set into the dark beech.

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 lattice and the open canopy of the tree with a soft dry brush — the leaves are fine — and wipe the flat surfaces and metal trees with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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