Swooping Eagle Backgammon Set with Punched Reverse

Swooping Eagle Backgammon Set with Punched Reverse — Handmade in Armenia

Wings up and talons down, an eagle drops through the roundel of this carved backgammon set, every flight feather cut separately, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim, with leaf scrolls, a leaf-chain border and an oval grip through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse has no inlay: its chequered grid is carved into the dark wood with alternate squares stamped with tiny punched flowers, a cartouche of stippled grapes and curling leaves to either side, the grip above and two small brass-toned clasps at the front.

Open, the field is bare apart from the points, incised into each half and finished with a small ring at each tip, with scalloped bar edges, troughs along the rails and corners and two ornamental brass-toned hinges on the spine.

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, brass-toned hinges and clasps; no pale wood inlay on this board
• Carving: swooping eagle with raised wings and open talons, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a leaf-chain border on a wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking a carved chequered grid with punched squares on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised ring-tipped drop-shaped points, plain field with no central motif; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two ornamental brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Caught mid-strike: the bird is carved at the moment of the swoop, not perched — the old copy had it standing still.
• One colour throughout: the chequered side is carved and punched in the same beech, not inlaid in two tones.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How does this differ from the other swooping eagle boards? This one has a punched, one-wood reverse instead of an inlaid panel, and a plain playing side with ring-tipped points. The five photos show the board alone; checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 feathers, the scrolls and the punched squares with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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