Stag and Doe Backgammon Set with Handle

Stag and Doe Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A stag stands guard while a doe rests in the grass at his feet, a mountain ridge behind them, in the rope-bordered roundel of this carved backgammon set — the whole scene cut in relief on a stippled ground, with lobed panels and a diamond lattice filling the lid around it. A cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Set the closed board down on its other face and you have a chequered panel of light and dark squares, a carved whorl disc turning in the lobed panel at either end.

Lift the lid and both halves are worked in pale inlay — fleur-tipped points with a knot roundel of interlaced bands at the centre of each — the rails cut with grips, a round dice recess in every corner, and brass-toned hinges between them. Thirty-two beech and walnut checkers and a pair of dice are supplied.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, mid-brown stain with pale wood inlays and brass-toned hinges
• Carving: standing stag and resting doe in grass before mountains in a rope-bordered roundel, lobed panels and diamond lattice; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and an interlaced knot roundel in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two deer, not one: the stag stands with antlers up while the doe lies in the grass below him.
• A full scene: grass, a ridge of mountains and open sky are carved round the animals inside the roundel.
• Knots inside: an inlaid interlaced roundel in each half beside the points.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is it a single deer in scrollwork? No — the old listing described one slender deer framed in scrollwork, but the roundel holds a stag and a doe with mountains behind, and the frame is a rope border on a lattice lid rather than scrolls. The old copy also listed a carrying bag that is not photographed, so it is not included here.

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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces 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.