Wolf and Eight-Pointed Star Backgammon Set in Walnut

Wolf and Eight-Pointed Star Backgammon Set in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

A snarling wolf, teeth bared and fur bristling, fills the central roundel on one face of this carved backgammon set; turn it over and an eight-pointed star takes his place, each face ringed with four small roundels carrying the other motif. Dark walnut throughout, 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

Round the roundels the wooden backgammon board is carved edge to edge: leaf scrolls curling over a stippled ground, a twisted-ribbon ring framing each disc, a scalloped outline to the case itself. Inside, the walnut field carries incised lattice points, a carved eight-pointed star in each half, a scalloped rail at either end and a recess in each corner for the dice.

Small brass hinges and clasps close the case, and the dark and pale wooden checkers and dice come with it.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood in a dark finish, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: wolf head roundel with four star roundels on one face, eight-pointed star roundel with four wolf-head roundels on the other, leaf scrolls on a stippled ground, twisted-ribbon rings; incised lattice points and a carved star in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding walnut backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two faces, two moods: the wolf on one side, the eight-pointed star on the other.
• Carved to the edge: leaf scrolls, stippled ground and ribbon rings round every roundel.
• Dark walnut: the deep grain throws the carving into shadow and relief.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the wolf carved or pressed? Carved — the head stands out in deep relief with the fur cut strand by strand, and the stippled ground behind it is worked point by point. The star, the scrolls and the points inside are cut the same way, so no two faces of the case are quite identical.

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? Dust the relief with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and keep the board out of direct sun. Store it closed with the checkers inside.

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