Luxury Guardian Cherub Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut

Luxury Guardian Cherub Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

A six-winged cherub stands at the centre of this luxury backgammon set — two wings raised, two spread wide, two folded down a feathered robe, a creature's head at each shoulder — inside a beaded circle with flower bosses and fronds, carved in deep relief across a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that reads like an icon: every feather is cut on its own, the fronds sweep up from the base like flames, the ground between them is stippled by hand, a palmette fills each corner outside the circle and a beaded moulding frames the whole lid. The figure spans both halves, so it stands complete when the board lies open lid-up.

Turn it over and open it and the walnut goes quiet: the field is the plain striped wood, its points scored in fine lines with a curl at each tip, a flower head drawn in the middle of each half, troughs along the ends for the checkers and dice. Two brass clasps hold the halves shut when the board stands closed.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the stripe of the grain showing inside
• Carving: six-winged cherub with a creature's head at each shoulder, beaded circle, flower bosses, rising fronds, corner palmettes, stippled ground, beaded moulded frame; line-work points and a flower in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• A guardian on the lid: six wings, cut feather by feather, spread across the whole board.
• Depth you can feel: fronds and bosses stand clear of a hand-stippled ground.
• Walnut inside: the stripe of the wood carries the field, with the points cut in line work.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The cherub, fronds, bosses and palmettes are cut in relief into the walnut, the ground is stippled by hand, the ring and frame are beaded, and the points and flowers inside are cut in line work. Nothing is printed or pressed.

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? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Dust the carving with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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