Chess Set with Carved Chess-Piece Border and Scrollwork Lid — Handmade in Armenia
Rows of chess pieces stand carved in relief round the frame of this chess set — pawns, rooks, knights and kings in silhouette on all four sides — and the lid outside carries a great disc of scrollwork on a lattice ground. 23.6 × 23.6 in (60 × 60 cm) open, handmade in Armenia from beech, with 32 turned pieces and a bag.
This is the wooden chess set whose border is a second set of pieces. Each silhouette is cut in rounded relief on a stippled ground inside a beaded rim, facing the field, so the frame reads as an army at rest round the real one; the coordinates sit in brass discs beside the inlaid squares. The 32 playing pieces are turned in two woods, pale and dark, with carved knights.
Shut, the board shows its other face: a round disc of interlaced scrolls cut flat into each half, on a ground scored in fine lattice with arched panels at the ends. It folds on bronze hinges to half its width and goes in the bag.
Specifications
- Open size: 23.6 × 23.6 in (60 × 60 cm)
- Material: beech wood, stained walnut brown, with inlaid pale and brown squares
- Carving: rows of chess-piece silhouettes in relief round the frame on a stippled ground, beaded rim, brass coordinate discs; scrollwork disc on a lattice ground with arched panels on the outside of each half
- Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces in pale beech and dark walnut
- Folded size: 11.8 × 23.6 in (30 × 60 cm)
- Hardware: bronze hinges and clasps
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding carved beech chess board
- 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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A border of pieces: pawns, rooks, knights and kings carved in relief on every side, facing the field.
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Carved on the outside too: a scrollwork disc and lattice ground on each half — a board that is decorated shut.
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Spacious board: the 23.6 in open board gives the turned wooden pieces room to move.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the carving real? Yes. Every silhouette on the border is cut into the beech in relief with the ground stippled by hand, the beaded rim is carved, and the scrollwork and lattice on the outside are cut into the wood too; the squares are inlaid and the coordinates are brass discs. Nothing is printed.
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. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed.
