Luxury Walnut Leaf Border Chess and Backgammon Set with Bronze Pieces — Handmade in Armenia
A row of carved acanthus leaves runs round the chessboard of this luxury walnut chess and backgammon set, on a dotted ground, with a carry handle cut into each end and 32 figural bronze pieces on the field. 23.6 × 23.6 in (60 × 60 cm) open, handmade in Armenia from walnut, with 32 checkers, dice and a bag.
This is the wooden chess set for the household that hosts the holidays. The leaves stand up in deep relief all the way round, each one cupped and veined, with a stippled ground behind them and a plain walnut band inside; the coordinates sit on small brass roundels beside the two-tone squares, and the board folds to 11.8 × 23.6 in (30 × 60 cm) on bronze hinges with clasps.
Open it and the backgammon field is drawn in line work into the walnut, with a flower disc in each half and the handle cut through each leaf. The pieces are cast figures in bronze — crowned kings, mounted knights, tower rooks — one army gold-toned, one dark; checkers and dice go in the bag.
Specifications
- Size: 23.6 × 23.6 in (60 × 60 cm) open; 11.8 × 23.6 in (30 × 60 cm) folded
- Material: walnut wood with two-tone inlaid squares; cast bronze chess pieces
- Carving: acanthus leaf border in deep relief on a stippled ground, cut-out carry handles, line-work backgammon field with flower discs inside, brass coordinate roundels
- Pieces: 32 figural cast bronze chess pieces in gold and dark tones, 32 wooden backgammon checkers, dice set
- Hardware: bronze hinges and clasps, carry handle cut into each end
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding walnut board with carry handles — chess outside, backgammon inside
- 32 figural bronze chess pieces
- 32 wooden backgammon checkers
- Dice set
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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Leaves you can feel: a full border of acanthus in deep relief — run a thumb along it and every leaf is a separate cut.
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Bronze on walnut: figural cast pieces with real heft, gold against dark, on a board with the grain of real walnut.
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Two games, carried by the board: chess outside, nardi inside, and a cut-out handle at each end for carrying the folded board.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the board solid walnut? Walnut wood, with the squares inlaid in two tones and the leaves carved into the frame itself; the handles are cut through the same board. Inside, the points and the flower discs are drawn into the walnut in line work. The pieces are cast bronze figures on round bases.
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 heat. Dust the leaves with a soft brush, wipe the field with a dry cloth, wipe the bronze dry, and keep the pieces, checkers and dice in the bag.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
