Eagle Head Backgammon Set with Handle

Eagle Head Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

An eagle's head in profile, hooked beak and layered neck feathers cut in relief, fills the rope-rimmed roundel at the centre of this wooden backgammon set, with a plain stippled disc on either side, leaf scrolls curling in from the corners and a small eight-pointed star in each upper corner. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The other face is a games board in its own right: pale and dark squares inlaid as a chequered panel, a cartouche of curling leaves and stippled grapes carved at each end, and the second handle above.

Inside, the work is incised rather than inlaid: drop-shaped outlined points, a faint eight-pointed star in each half, scalloped bar edges, grip slots in the rails and corner troughs, on brass-toned hinges. The five photos show the board alone.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with a pale wood chequered inlay, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: an eagle head in profile in a rope-rimmed roundel, a stippled disc on either side, leaf scrolls from the four corners with a small eight-pointed star in each upper corner; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points, an incised eight-pointed star in each half, scalloped bar edges, grip slots and corner troughs
• 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
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• One eagle, in profile: beak, eye and feathering are the deepest carving on the lid and read from across the room.
• Scrolls, not a border: four broad leaf scrolls frame the lid from the corners instead of a rope band.
• Chequered reverse: turn it over and a pale-and-dark inlaid panel gives you a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Where are the stars? Small — one eight-pointed star in each upper corner of the lid. The two roundels beside the eagle are plain stippled discs, not stars, so the old title overstated them. There is no bag either: the old copy listed one, but the five photos show the board only, and the checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification.

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 feathering and the stippled discs with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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