Split Pomegranate Armenian Backgammon Set with Metal Emblems

Split Pomegranate Armenian Backgammon Set with Metal Emblems — Handmade in Armenia

Two pomegranates fill the central roundel of this carved Armenian backgammon set — one whole, one split open with its seeds tinted red — with a small cast-metal pomegranate set into a roundel at each end, a fine lattice cut across the rest of the lid and a cut-out carry handle through the top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The fruit is carved almost in the round, leaves and crown included, over a stippled ground, and the brass-toned metal emblems are the only bright points on the matte lid. On the other outer face of the wooden backgammon board the same two emblems flank a chequered panel of pale and dark squares.

The field inside carries the fruit again: two pale pomegranates inlaid in each half above pale points with arrow tips, with the handle bars rope-carved at the sides and a dice recess in every corner. The set is complete in the photographs — thirty-two turned wooden checkers, a pair of dice and the carrying bag.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark stained with pale wood inlays, cast-metal emblems, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: whole and split pomegranates in a roundel, two cast-metal pomegranate emblems, lattice ground; chequered panel between the same emblems on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip with a rope-carved bar through the top edge of both halves
• Emblems: two brass-toned cast-metal pomegranates on each outer face
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and two inlaid pomegranates in each half; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle and four metal emblems
• 32 turned wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Pomegranates three ways: carved in wood at the centre, cast in metal at the ends, inlaid inside.
• The split fruit: seeds picked out one by one and tinted red against the dark wood.
• All in the photos: checkers, dice and the carrying bag are shown, not promised.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the big pomegranate metal? No — the two large pomegranates in the centre are carved wood, with the split one's seeds tinted red; only the four small emblems at the ends are cast metal with a brass-coloured finish. The points and pomegranates inside are pale wood set into the dark beech.

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 lattice and the carved fruit with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces and metal emblems with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and carry it in its bag with the checkers inside.

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