Leaf Star Backgammon Set with Scrolls and Rope Border

Leaf Star Backgammon Set with Scrolls and Rope Border — Handmade in Armenia

Eight leafy arms, each curled round a little hollow, spread from a whirled boss on this carved backgammon set — a star of foliage, not ice, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and corner triangles on the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn the shut board over: pale and dark squares are let in flush as a chequered panel across the underside, leaf-and-grape scrolls carved out to either end.

Inside, the points are incised with arrow tips, a flower of looped petals is incised in a ring at the centre of each half, the bar edges are scalloped, and each outer rail is hollowed into a trough with a round cup at both ends. Two ornate brass-toned hinges, 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 eight-armed leaf star with a hollow in each arm round a whirled boss, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a straight-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 looped-petal flower in a ring in each half; rail troughs with round cups at the ends
• 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

• Leaves, not ice: the arms are curling leaves with a round eye in each — foliage up close, geometry from across the room.
• A boss that turns: the centre is a whirl of curved segments, giving the still star a hint of spin.
• Cups on the rails: every trough ends in a round hollow that keeps the dice within reach.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is it a six-armed snowflake? No — the old copy counted six arms, but the star has eight, each a curled leaf with a round hollow, round a whirled boss. 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 leaf arms 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.