Carved Basket Weave and Blue Epoxy Backgammon Set in Walnut

Carved Basket Weave and Blue Epoxy Backgammon Set in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

A great paisley-shaped panel of carved basket weave, its strands standing over deep blue epoxy, curls across each outer face of this carved backgammon set, finished with a shell scroll, a leaf spray and a scalloped fringe, with a smaller lattice panel in two corners. Pale walnut, 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

The weave is carved in relief, each strand passing over and under its neighbours, and the blue resin fills the ground beneath so the colour shows in every gap. Both outer faces carry the same design. Inside, the wooden backgammon board is darker walnut with slender lattice points, a ringed disc in each half and a fine border incised into the wood, plus carved scalloped rails at the ends and a recess in each corner for the dice.

It closes on two brass hinges and side clasps, and comes with dark and pale wooden checkers and a pair of dice.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, pale outside and darker within, with blue epoxy under the carved weave; brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: paisley-shaped basket-weave panel with shell scroll, leaf spray and scalloped fringe plus two corner lattice panels on each outer face, blue epoxy in the gaps; incised lattice points and ringed discs 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

• Weave over blue: carved strands with deep blue epoxy showing through every gap.
• The same on both faces: lid and base carry the full paisley panel.
• Pale outside, dark inside: blond walnut faces and a darker walnut field.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the weave carved or moulded? Carved — each strand is cut in relief with the over-and-under of a real basket, and the ground between them is filled with blue epoxy and levelled, so the colour sits below the wood rather than on it. The two corner panels and the scrolls are worked the same way.

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 carving with a soft brush and wipe the flat walnut with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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