Basket-Weave Travel Chess Set with Carved Frame

Basket-Weave Travel Chess Set with Carved Frame — Handmade in Armenia

Wickerwork in wood: a basket weave is carved strip over strip round the whole frame of this travel chess set — a dark-stained 30 × 30 cm / 11.8″ × 11.8″ board with the chessboard across its outer faces and a line-work backgammon field inside, handmade in Armenia, with 32 turned wooden pieces and a bag.

The weave on this wooden chess set is cut as broad flat strips passing over and under each other, every crossing raised and every strip scored down its middle, so the frame catches the light like real wickerwork; it runs round all four sides and meets at the corners. The squares are inlaid pale and brown wood, and a brass clasp holds the halves shut.

Sixteen pale and sixteen dark-stained pieces, turned in wood and sized to the small squares, make up the army. Inside, the halves open to a second field — plain line-work points with a dot at each tip and a trough along each end — for anyone who brings their own checkers, since only the chess pieces ship with it.

Specifications

• Size: 30 × 30 cm / 11.8″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood in a dark brown stain, with inlaid pale and brown squares
• Carving: basket weave round the whole frame, strips scored and crossing in relief; line-work backgammon points inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces, pale and dark-stained
• Folded: 15 × 30 cm / 5.9″ × 11.8″
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasp
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding basket-weave chess board
• 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Woven all round: the weave is carved in relief on all four sides, at a size that fits a bag.
• Laptop-sized: folds in half with a brass clasp and travels with the pieces inside.
• Points under the lid: a line-work backgammon field inside — add checkers and dice for a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? The weave is carved in relief into the frame, strip over strip with each crossing raised, the squares are inlaid, and the points inside are cut in line work. Nothing is printed.

Are backgammon checkers included? No. This set ships with the 32 chess pieces; the inside is cut as a backgammon field in line work, so a set of checkers and dice of your own turns it into a two-game board.

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.