Celtic Tree in a Braided Ring Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes

Celtic Tree in a Braided Ring Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia

A braided ring in pale wood encloses the tree on this Armenian backgammon set, its trunk, branches and roots plaited into one knot with small leaves fringing the crown, all on a dark disc set in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border. Four sizes, 30 to 60 cm square (11.8″ to 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.

Turn it face down and the wooden backgammon set shows an inlaid chequered panel of pale and dark squares between two lattice ends, framed the same way.

Inside, an inlaid knotwork roundel sits in each half between fleur-tipped pale points, with a checker trough along each rail and brass-toned hinges. Turned checkers in two woods, white dice and the black carrying bag are photographed.

Specifications

• Size: four sizes — 30 × 30 cm, 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (11.8″, 15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
• Size folded: 30 × 15 cm, 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (11.8″ × 5.9″, 15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with a pale wood disc and inlays, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a pale-wood Celtic tree with plaited trunk, branches and roots and a leaf-fringed crown inside a braided ring, on a dark disc in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border; lattice and an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
• Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid knotwork roundel in each half; checker troughs along the sides
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Ring and knot: the plaited border and the plaited tree are one language, so the disc reads as a single emblem.
• Four sizes: from a 30 cm board that travels to a full 60 cm board, same disc on each.
• Everything photographed: checkers, dice and the carrying bag all appear in the listing photos.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is this the same as the other Celtic tree board? No — this tree is fully plaited, trunk included, and sits inside a braided ring; the other has spiralling branches and only the roots knotted. The wood is beech with a brown stain, not the 'rich polished wood' of the old copy. One board was photographed for all four sizes; only the 30 cm board is a true travel size. Checkers, dice and the bag are photographed with it.

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 flat faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice and disc gently. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside, in the bag.

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