Eagle Head Backgammon Set with Lattice Ovals

Eagle Head Backgammon Set with Lattice Ovals — Handmade in Armenia

Hooked beak, sharp eye and layered neck feathers: an eagle's head in profile fills the roundel of this carved backgammon set, in relief on a stippled ground inside a rope rim, a large rope-rimmed oval of diamond lattice either side and a rope border round the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The same two lattice ovals frame the reverse, where a chequered panel of pale inlaid squares — each stamped with a small flower — alternates with the dark ground.

Open, an eight-petal flower incised in a ring marks the centre of each half, drop-shaped points run above and below, the bar edges are scalloped and a checker trough is cut along each outer rail. Two plain brass-toned hinges, no cut-out grip. The six photos show the board alone.

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 chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: an eagle's head in profile in a rope-rimmed roundel on a stippled ground, a rope-rimmed oval of diamond lattice either side, rope border on a wavy-edged lid; lattice ovals flanking an inlaid flower-stamped chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points, scalloped bar edges and an incised eight-petal flower in a ring in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• A portrait, not a pose: the head alone, in profile, with the beak and eye cut sharp — the calmest of the eagle boards.
• Lattice instead of leaves: the two flanking ovals are filled with a cut diamond lattice, a cleaner frame than the usual scrolls.
• Flowers on the back: each pale square of the chequered reverse carries a small stamped flower.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the whole eagle carved? No — the head and neck only, in profile, filling the roundel. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the six photos show the board only with two plain hinges, and the checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification.

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 feathers, the lattice and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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