Scroll-Band Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Carry Handles

Scroll-Band Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Carry Handles — Handmade in Armenia

Two carry handles and a band of running scrolls: this travel chess and backgammon set is a dark-stained 30 × 30 cm / 11.8″ × 11.8″ board with a waved edge, a fluted slot handle through each end, the chessboard across its outer faces and a line-work backgammon field inside — handmade in Armenia, with pieces, checkers and dice.

The band on this wooden chess set is a chain of S-curves carved in relief on a stippled ground, running round all four sides between a round boss at each corner; the edge waves in and out, and the handle grip at each end is fluted so the fingers sit in it. The squares are inlaid pale and brown wood with the coordinates cut into the border.

Open it the other way and the second game is cut in line work — points with a dot at each tip, a small six-petal wheel in each half, a scalloped rail with stars along the ends — with troughs for the checkers and dice. The army is turned in pale and dark-stained wood and scaled to the small squares.

Specifications

• Size: 30 × 30 cm / 11.8″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood in a dark brown stain, with inlaid pale and brown squares
• Carving: running S-scroll band on a stippled ground round the frame, round corner bosses, waved edge, fluted cut-out handle at each end, cut-in coordinates; line-work points and a six-petal wheel in each half inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces, pale and dark-stained; 32 wooden backgammon checkers; pair of dice
• Folded: 15 × 30 cm / 5.9″ × 11.8″
• Carry handle: fluted cut-out at each end
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved board — chess outside, backgammon inside
• 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark
• 32 wooden backgammon checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Two handles, two games: a fluted grip at each end, chess outside, nardi with checkers and dice inside.
• Carved, not plain: the scroll band runs round all four sides on a stippled ground, even at this size.
• Wheels under the lid: a six-petal wheel in each half and stars along the rail, cut in line work.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? The scroll band is carved in relief on a hand-stippled ground, the waved edge is shaped by hand, the handles are cut through the frame with a fluted grip, the squares are inlaid, and the points and wheels inside are cut in line work. Nothing is printed.

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. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed.

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