Leaping Horse Backgammon Set with Lattice Oval and Handle

Leaping Horse Backgammon Set with Lattice Oval and Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Forelegs tucked and hind legs stretched, a horse leaps over grass in the rope-rimmed oval of this wooden backgammon set, mane and tail flying, and round it a second, larger oval is filled edge to edge with diamond lattice, a scalloped grip cut through the wavy top edge. 50 × 50 cm / 19.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The finish is a warm honey brown that lets the grain of the beech show through, so the lattice, the stippled sky behind the horse and the rope rims all read in the same tone and the carving does the work. On the other face a chequered panel is incised into the wood with a stamped dot on alternate squares, between two scroll brackets with stippled panels.

Inside, the halves are plain wood with drop-shaped points incised into each, each drop ending in a small ring, shallow rests along the top and bottom rails and the grip cut through both halves; two ornamental hinges join them on the spine. It comes with 32 wooden checkers and a dice set.

Specifications

• Size open: 50 × 50 cm / 19.6″ × 19.6″
• Size folded: 50 × 25 cm / 19.6″ × 9.8″
• Material: beech wood, honey-brown finish, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: leaping horse over grass on a stippled ground in a rope-rimmed oval, set inside a larger rope-rimmed oval filled with diamond lattice, stippled corner triangles on a wavy-edged lid; incised chequered panel with stamped dots between stippled scroll brackets on the other face; scalloped grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points with ring tips in each half; shallow checker rests along the end rails
• Hardware: two ornamental brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice set

Why You'll Love It

• An oval inside an oval: the horse's frame sits in a second frame of lattice, so the lid reads as one large ornament rather than a picture with a border.
• Warm and light: a honey-brown finish that shows the grain — the lighter board of the carved family.
• The middle size: big enough for a proper game, small enough to carry by the grip to a friend's table.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the horse carved in relief? Yes — horse, mane, tail and the lattice round it all stand in relief on the honey-brown wood, and the stippled ground is cut down behind them; see the close-up. Six photos, board only: the checkers and the dice set are listed from the maker's specification, and no bag comes 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 lattice and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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