Knotted Crown Tree Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia
Every branch of this tree is a strand of interlace, woven into a dense knotwork crown, and the roots knot the same way below: a pale-wood tree on the dark disc of this Armenian backgammon set, in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border. Four sizes, 30 to 60 cm square (11.8″ to 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.
On the back, pale and dark squares are inlaid as a chequered panel with the lattice returning at both ends, so the closed board is finished either way up.
The knot theme continues on the playing side, where a pale roundel of interlaced leaves is inlaid in the middle of each half and fleur-tipped points run up to it; the rails have troughs for the checkers and the hinges are brass-toned. Checkers in two woods, white dice and a black bag appear in the photographs.
Specifications
- Size: four sizes — 30 × 30 cm, 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (11.8″, 15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
- Size folded: 30 × 15 cm, 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (11.8″ × 5.9″, 15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
- Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with a pale wood disc and inlays, brass-toned hinges
- Carving: a pale-wood tree with branches woven into a knotwork crown and roots knotted at the base, on a dark disc in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border; lattice and an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
- Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
- Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid knotwork roundel in each half; checker troughs along the sides
- Hardware: brass-toned hinges and front clasps
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding beech backgammon board
- 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
- Two dice
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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All knot: crown and roots are pure interlace, the trunk the only plain line in the disc.
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Four sizes: from a 30 cm board that travels to a full 60 cm board, same disc on each.
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Everything photographed: checkers, dice and the carrying bag all appear in the listing photos.
Good to Know Before You Buy
How does this compare with the braided-ring tree? That board puts a plaited tree inside a braided ring; here there is no ring, and the whole crown is one dense knot. It is a beech board with a brown stain and a pale-wood disc. One board was photographed for all four sizes; only the 30 cm board is a true travel size. Checkers, dice and the bag are photographed 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? Wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice and disc gently. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside, in the bag.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
