Bird on a Branch Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes

Bird on a Branch Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia

A small bird in pale wood perches on a branch that crosses the dark disc of this Armenian backgammon set, leafy sprigs curving up round it and a single flower opening below, the disc framed by a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border. Four sizes, 30 to 60 cm square (11.8″ to 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.

The reverse is worked as well: pale and dark squares inlaid as a chequered panel, with the same lattice at either end and the stepped frame round it.

Open, the two halves each carry a pale inlaid knotwork roundel between fleur-tipped inlaid points, a checker trough along the rail and brass-toned hinges. The turned checkers in two woods, white dice and black carrying bag are all in the photographs.

Specifications

• Size: four sizes — 30 × 30 cm, 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (11.8″, 15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
• Size folded: 30 × 15 cm, 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (11.8″ × 5.9″, 15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with a pale wood disc and inlays, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a pale-wood bird on a branch with leafy sprigs and a flower on a dark disc, in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border; lattice and an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
• Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid knotwork roundel in each half; checker troughs along the sides
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• One bird, drawn clean: a single perched bird in silhouette, not a crowded scene, so it reads from across the room.
• Four sizes: from a 30 cm board that travels to a full 60 cm board, same disc on each.
• Everything photographed: checkers, dice and the carrying bag all appear in the listing photos.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is it a tree? A branch rather than a whole tree — the bird sits on one bough with a few leafy sprigs and a flower round it, all in pale wood on the dark disc. One board was photographed for all four sizes and the design is the same at each; only the 30 cm board is a true travel size. Checkers, dice and the bag are photographed with it.

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? Wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice and disc gently. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside, in the bag.

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