Swooping Eagle Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Swooping Eagle Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Talons forward and wings thrown up, an eagle drops towards its prey on this carved backgammon set — every flight feather its own ridge, the tail fanned, on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim — leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and corner triangles on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The underside carries an incised chequered panel — squares stamped with small flower marks alternating with plain ones — set between two fan-shaped scrolled brackets.

The playing side keeps to line work: a ringed eight-petal flower at the centre of each half, slim drop-shaped points top and bottom, scalloped edges to the bars, and a hollow trough along each rail with a round cup at either end for the dice. 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, red-brown stain, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a swooping eagle with spread wings and talons forward, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a wavy-edged lid; an incised flower-stamped chequered panel between fan-shaped brackets on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points with round tips, scalloped bar edges and an incised eight-petal flower in a ring in each half; rail troughs with round cups
• 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

• Caught in the dive: wings up, legs down, beak open — the bird is carved at the instant before it strikes, not perched.
• Feathers in rows: primaries, coverts and tail are each cut in overlapping ridges against a ground stippled flat.
• Warm colour: the red-brown stain sets this board apart from the darker boards in the range.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the eagle perched or flying? Flying — wings spread and talons reaching forward, mid-swoop, as the old title said. 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 and the cross-hatched 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.