Flower and Acanthus Backgammon Set with Handle

Flower and Acanthus Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Twelve petals open around a domed centre at the heart of this carved backgammon set, four sprays of curling acanthus leaves reaching out from the flower to fill a rope-bordered roundel on a stippled ground. Lobed panels flank the disc and a diamond lattice covers the rest of the lid, with a cut-out carry handle in the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Flip the Armenian backgammon set over and the second face is an inlaid chequered panel of pale and dark squares, flanked by two carved whorl discs in their own lobed panels.

The inside is inlaid in pale wood: fleur-tipped points and an interlaced knot roundel in each half, with a scroll border along the near rails, side grips and brass-toned hinges. Thirty-two wooden checkers and dice are included.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale wood inlays and brass-toned hinges
• Carving: twelve-petal flower with four acanthus leaf sprays in a rope-bordered roundel, lobed stippled 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 in the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and an interlaced knot roundel in each half; scroll border on the near rails, side grips
• 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

• Leaves that curl: each acanthus spray turns back on itself in deep relief, so the roundel changes with the light.
• An even flower: twelve petals around a domed centre, cut to the same depth all the way round.
• Knots inside: both halves carry an inlaid interlaced roundel in pale wood beside the points.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the ground cross-hatched? Not on the roundel — the old listing said cross-hatched, but the flower sits on a stippled ground; the cross-hatching is the diamond lattice cut across the rest of the lid. The old copy also listed a carrying bag that does not appear in the photos, 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? Dust the relief 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.