Luxury Fish Scale Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut

Luxury Fish Scale Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

Large overlapping scales cover both faces of this luxury backgammon set, row lapping over row from edge to edge, each one stippled inside a smooth rounded rim so the whole lid reads as one soft, ridged skin of walnut inside a plain moulded frame. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that works by texture alone: no emblem, no picture, just the pattern of scales shifting from light to shadow as you walk round it, with the figure of the walnut showing through the darker rows. The scales are cut in low relief, the rims are rounded rather than sharp, and brass clasps hold the two halves shut.

Inside, the field is bare walnut with its grain showing: points drawn as looped arrow outlines, a many-petalled flower at the centre of each half and a trough beneath the scalloped ends. Pale and dark turned checkers, a pair of dice and a cloth carrying bag complete it.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the figure of the grain showing inside
• Carving: overlapping fish scales in low relief, stippled inside smooth rims, across both faces; plain moulded frame; looped-outline points and a flower in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Cloth carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Texture instead of a theme: scales from edge to edge on both faces, nothing to match to anyone.
• Soft to the hand: rounded rims and stippled hollows you can feel row by row.
• Walnut inside: figured wood, looped points and a flower in each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the scales pressed or carved? Carved. Each scale's rim is left standing when the wood round it is cut back, then its hollow is stippled by hand, row after row across both faces; there is no pressing, no veneer and no applied panel, and the points and flowers inside are scored straight into the walnut.

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. Dust the carving with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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