Armenian Woven Knot Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia
Strands cross over and under like cloth on this Armenian backgammon set — a disc of woven interlace in relief, one band above the next at every crossing, on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side, rope border, wavy-edged lid. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.
The other face keeps the weave out of it: an inlaid chequer of light and dark squares, two carved leaf-and-grape cartouches, and the grip cut again through the top edge.
Inside, arrow-tipped points frame a sunburst flower in a scrolled ring in each half, a checker trough runs along each outer rail beside the grip and brass-toned hinges join the halves; the photos show pale and dark wooden checkers, a dice set and a black cloth carrying bag.
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 disc of woven interlace with strands passing over and under, in 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
- Black cloth carrying bag with handles
Why You'll Love It
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Weave you can trace: follow any strand and it goes over one neighbour and under the next, all the way round the disc.
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The oldest Armenian pattern: interlace like this fills khachkars and church doorways; here it fills the roundel of a board.
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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
Does the scrollwork reach the border on every side? The leaf scrolls sit either side of the roundel, and a rope border runs round the wavy edge; the corners are plain stained wood. 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 interlace 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.
