Swooping Eagle Backgammon Set with Carved Leaf Scrolls

Swooping Eagle Backgammon Set with Carved Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Wings thrown wide and talons reaching down, an eagle drops towards its landing across the lid of this carved wooden backgammon set — cut along the length of the board over a lattice ground, with a leaf scroll closing the panel at each end, so the bird hangs upright when the board stands on its edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Every flight feather is cut as its own blade and the head turns to the side with the beak open, the deepest relief on the wooden backgammon board. On the other outer face a chequered panel of pale and dark squares sits between two shell-scroll panels.

Open the clasps and the dark-stained field shows pale wood points with arrow tips, a pale spoked wheel set into each half, a row of arches along the end rails and a long dice recess in every corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice are supplied.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark stained, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: swooping eagle with spread wings and open talons along the lid on a lattice ground, leaf scrolls at each end; chequered panel between shell scrolls on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and a spoked wheel in each half; arched end rails, corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Caught mid-swoop: wings up, talons out — the moment before the strike, not a perch.
• Feathers with edges: each primary cut separately over the lattice ground.
• Inlaid field: pale points and wheels set into the dark board, not printed.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the eagle standing or flying? Flying — it is carved in the instant of landing, wings spread and legs stretched down, laid along the long side of the lid. The bird is relief over a lattice-cut ground; the points and wheels 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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces with a dry cloth. Keep the board away from direct sun and radiators and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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