Scroll Cartouche Chess Set with Laurel Leaf Frame

Scroll Cartouche Chess Set with Laurel Leaf Frame — Handmade in Armenia

A shield-shaped cartouche of scrolls sits at the centre of each end of this chess set, with long laurel leaves running along all four sides and a C-scroll curling in every corner, carved on a stippled ground. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia from beech in a golden-brown stain, with 32 turned pieces and a bag.

This is the wooden chess set with a frame like a gilt mirror. The leaves lie flat and long in relief, the cartouches stand up from the ground with their scrolls rolled at the ends, and the corners turn in on themselves; the ground between is stippled by hand and the coordinates are carved beside the inlaid squares. The 32 pieces are turned in two woods, pale and dark.

The outline waves in scallops and the board folds shut on bronze clasps; open it the other way and the inside is carved as a backgammon field with a swirl wheel in each half — though the set ships with the chess pieces only.

Specifications

• Size: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Material: beech wood, stained golden brown, with inlaid pale and brown squares
• Carving: scroll cartouche at each end, laurel leaves along the sides, C-scrolls at the corners, stippled ground, waved edge, carved coordinates; inlaid points and a swirl wheel in each half inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces in pale beech and dark walnut
• Folded: 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″
• 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

• A mirror frame for a board: cartouches, laurel and corner scrolls in relief on every side.
• Golden, not dark: a warm honey stain that keeps every cut of the carving readable.
• A second field inside: carved backgammon points under the lid — add checkers and dice for another game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The cartouches, leaves and corner scrolls are cut into the beech in relief with the ground stippled by hand, the coordinates are carved, and the squares and the points inside are inlaid wood. Nothing is printed.

Are backgammon checkers included? No. This set ships with the 32 chess pieces; the inside is carved as a backgammon field, so a set of checkers and dice of your own makes it a two-game board.

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.