Luxury Life on Mars Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut

Luxury Life on Mars Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

Two long-necked creatures coil round each other on the lid of this luxury backgammon set — one crested, one horned, their bodies looping into a single figure — with a flaming sun rising at each side and a stepped meander behind them, carved in relief across a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set for the room that has enough mountains and pomegranates: the scene is invented, not inherited, but the work is the same — smooth rounded bodies standing well clear of a stippled ground, flames cut ray by ray round each sun, a plain moulded frame holding it all. The far face carries a carved panel flanked by two more flaming suns.

Two brass clasps open onto a field that keeps its head down: bare striped walnut, the twelve points a side drawn as single scored lines with a small arrowhead at the tip, one flower head in each half, scalloped rails at top and bottom and a deep trough along each end where the checkers and dice ride when the board is shut.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the figure of the grain showing inside
• Carving: two entwined creatures in relief, a flaming sun at each side, stepped meander, stippled ground, moulded frame; flaming suns on the far face; line-work points and a flower in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Not from any folklore: an invented pair of creatures, carved with the same care as a saint or a king.
• Suns front and back: flaming rays cut on both faces of the board.
• Walnut inside: the plain striped field, points and flowers scored in line work.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The creatures, suns and meander are cut in relief into the walnut, the ground round them is stippled by hand, and the points and flowers inside are scored in line work. Nothing is printed or pressed.

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? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Dust the carving with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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