Luxury Tree of Life Armenian Backgammon Set with Pomegranates

Luxury Tree of Life Armenian Backgammon Set with Pomegranates — Handmade in Armenia

The tree of life lies along the lid of this luxury Armenian backgammon set: scrolled roots at one end, a straight stem with seven pairs of curling leaves, and three pomegranates hanging at the crown, all carved in relief in a round-ended panel on stippled walnut inside a chevron border. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that grows sideways. The leaves are cut with a rib down each one and curl back at the tip so they stand off the ground, the pomegranates are full spheres with their crowns turned up, the roots end in tight scrolls, and the chevron band round the edge is stepped rather than sawn. The outer faces are carved on both sides; the pale rim is the walnut's own sapwood.

The field inside is left as bare figured walnut. A flower with many petals sits at the centre of each half, the points are looped arrow outlines, the ends are cut into arched scallops, and the checkers and dice go in the trough beneath.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood with pale sapwood at the edges, oiled finish, with the figure of the grain showing inside
• Carving: tree of life with scrolled roots, seven pairs of curling leaves and three pomegranates in a round-ended panel on a stippled ground, chevron border; looped-outline points, a flower in each half and arched scallops 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

• Roots, leaves, fruit: the whole tree in one line, scrolls at one end and pomegranates at the other.
• Leaves that stand up: each one ribbed and curled back at the tip, clear of the stippled ground.
• Walnut inside: figured wood, looped points and a flower in each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? It is. Leaves, scrolls and pomegranates are all relief left standing when the walnut round them was cut back and stippled, the chevrons likewise, and the flower and points inside are scored into the wood rather than printed. No pressing, no applied parts.

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.