Interlaced Flower Armenian Backgammon Set with Handle, 3 Sizes

Interlaced Flower Armenian Backgammon Set with Handle, 3 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia

An interlaced flower — pointed petals woven through a knot at the heart — fills the rope-bordered roundel of this Armenian backgammon set, cut in relief over a stippled ground with a diamond lattice covering the lid around it. A smaller brass-toned cast-metal flower sits in a recessed roundel at each end and a cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. Three sizes: 40, 50 or 60 cm square (15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.

The wooden backgammon board keeps its lattice and its two metal emblems on the reverse too, where they flank a chequered panel of pale and dark inlaid squares instead of the flower.

Inside, an interlaced roundel is inlaid in pale wood at the centre of each half between pale inlaid points with arrow tips; the rails hold the checkers when the board is folded. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers, pale and dark, and a pair of dice are included.

Specifications

• Size: three sizes — 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
• Size folded: 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
• Material: beech wood, mid-brown stain with pale wood inlays, brass-toned cast-metal emblems, brass clasps
• Carving: interlaced flower disc in a rope-bordered roundel with two metal flower emblems on a diamond lattice ground; inlaid chequered panel between two metal emblems on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; dice
• Emblems: four brass-toned cast-metal flowers, two on each outer face
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an interlaced pale-wood roundel in each half
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle and four metal emblems
• 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• One flower, three ways: carved big in the centre, cast in metal at the sides, inlaid in pale wood inside.
• Three sizes, same carving: 40 cm for travel, 50 for the shelf, 60 for the table — choose above.
• Lattice to the edge: a cut diamond grid surrounds the roundels and repeats on the chequered face.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which size should I choose? The 40 cm board is a travel size — light enough for a bag, with checkers about 2.5 cm across. The 60 cm is a full table board with checkers near 4 cm; the 50 cm sits between. The carving is the same on all three; the photos show the 60 cm.

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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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