Armenian Eternity Sign Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Armenian Eternity Sign Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

A wheel of curved rays turns on this Armenian backgammon set — the arevakhach, the Armenian eternity sign, a dozen overlapping scoops spiralling from one point in deep relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The other face of the shut board is a chequered field — squares of pale and dark wood let in flush across the middle — with a leaf-and-grape cartouche carved beyond it at either end.

Open it and the sign returns in miniature, an incised whirl in each half between rows of arrow-tipped points; the bar edges are scalloped and a trough for the checkers runs along each outer rail. Two ornate brass-toned hinges join the halves; there is no cut-out grip. The five 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, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: an arevakhach eternity sign of overlapping curved rays in deep relief, 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; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised arrow-tipped points, scalloped bar edges and an incised whirl in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: two ornate 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

• The sign itself: the arevakhach is the eternity symbol cut into Armenian khachkars and church walls, and here it fills the whole roundel.
• Rays with depth: each curved ray is a scooped, overlapping segment, so the wheel is carved in the round rather than drawn — it turns as the light moves.
• Repeated inside: a small incised whirl sits in each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How many rays does the sign have? Twelve or so overlapping curved rays, spiralling from the centre — count them in the close-up photo. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the five photos show the board only with two 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 scooped rays 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.