Galloping Horse Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Galloping Horse Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Mane and tail streaming, a horse gallops through tall grass across the leaf-chain roundel of this wooden backgammon set, forelegs reaching and hind legs stretched behind, cut in relief on a cross-hatched ground with leaf sprays either side and a leaf-chain border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

It is the fastest lid in the family. The horse is stretched flat out, every blade of grass under it is a separate incised stroke, and the hatched ground behind it makes the smooth body read as movement from across the room. The other face carries a chequered panel with a floret stamped on alternate squares, between two scroll brackets with stippled panels.

Undo the two front clasps and the halves swing flat on plain hinges: long incised drops for the points, an eight-petal wheel in each half, and troughs along the rails for the checkers. It comes with 32 wooden checkers and a dice set.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark red-brown stain, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: galloping horse with flying mane and tail over incised grass, cross-hatched ground, in a leaf-chain roundel; leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border with stippled corner spandrels on a wavy-edged lid; chequered panel with stamped florets between stippled scroll brackets on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an eight-petal wheel in each half; checker troughs along the rails
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice set

Why You'll Love It

• Flat-out gallop: all four legs stretched, mane and tail flying — the one lid in the family that is pure speed.
• Both faces carved: leaf sprays round the horse on the lid, a floret-stamped chequered panel between scroll brackets on the reverse.
• Wavy edges: the scalloped outline runs round every side of the case, not just the lid.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the horse carved in relief? Yes — the body, legs, mane and tail stand above the cross-hatched ground and the grass is incised stroke by stroke; the close-up photo shows the depth. The five photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 grass, the hatched ground and the leaf chain with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and store it closed.

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