Galloping Horse Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia
All four legs off the ground and the mane streaming back, a horse gallops across this carved backgammon set — in deep relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on the wavy-edged lid. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.
On the reverse a flush chequered inlay of pale and dark squares fills the middle, leaf-and-grape cartouches carved at each end and the second grip cut through the top edge.
Inside, the points are cut with arrow tips, a sunburst flower sits in a scrolled ring at the centre of each half, and a checker trough runs along each outer rail beside the grip; brass-toned hinges join the halves. Pale and dark wooden checkers, a dice set and a dark cloth carrying bag come with the board.
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 with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
- Carving: a galloping horse with flying mane and tail in deep relief, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
- Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark, grooved faces; two dice
- Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
- Inside: incised arrow-tipped points and an incised sunburst flower in a scrolled ring in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
- Hardware: brass-toned hinges with an ornate one at the centre of the spine
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
- 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark
- Two dice
- Dark cloth carrying bag with handles
Why You'll Love It
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Legs in the air: the horse is carved at the moment of suspension, hooves clear of the ground, which is what makes the gallop read.
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Mane and tail as motion: both stream back in cut strands, filling the roundel with the direction of the run.
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Handle and bag: a grip is cut through each half, and the set comes with a cloth bag for carrying.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the frame oval? No, the horse runs inside a round, rope-rimmed roundel. The checkers, a dice set and a carrying bag all come with it.
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 mane, the tail and the cross-hatched ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
