Eight-Pointed Star Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Eight-Pointed Star Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

A single faceted eight-pointed star, each point cut as a raised ridge, fills the rope-rimmed roundel of this wooden backgammon set on a cross-hatched ground, with broad leaf scrolls either side, a rope-and-leaf border and stippled corner triangles. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, straight-edged, handmade in Armenia.

Its reverse is a chequerboard — pale and dark squares inlaid flush into the wood, a carved cartouche of leaves and stippled grapes at each end — so the set plays draughts closed and backgammon open.

The star repeats inside, scratched faintly into the middle of each half between rows of drop-shaped incised points; the bar edges are scalloped, the rails have round dice recesses and the corners troughs, all on brass-toned hinges. 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 a pale wood chequered inlay, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a faceted eight-pointed star in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side, rope-and-leaf border and stippled corner triangles; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points, an incised eight-pointed star in each half, scalloped bar edges, round dice recesses and corner troughs
• Edges: straight, no cut-out grip
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• One star, big: the faceted star is the only motif on the lid and catches the light from every angle.
• No animal, no emblem: a geometric board for a room that wants pattern rather than a picture.
• Chequered reverse: turn it over and a pale-and-dark inlaid panel gives you a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Where are the interlocking octagons? There are none — the old title and copy described a tiled octagon pattern, but the lid carries one large eight-pointed star in a roundel, so the listing has been corrected. There is no bag either: the old copy listed one, but the five photos show the board only, 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 star facets 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.