Mount Ararat Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Raised Scrolls

Mount Ararat Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Raised Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Mount Ararat sits between a pair of raised leaf scrolls at each end of this travel chess and backgammon set, with a diamond lattice cut down both sides and a ribbon border round the rim. 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″ open, handmade in Armenia from beech and stained dark, with pieces, checkers, dice and a bag.

This is the wooden chess set with the scrolls that stand off the board. Each one is carved in the round and curls up from the surface beside the snow-capped peaks, the lattice runs in a band down each side, and a carved ribbon follows the waved outer edge. The coordinates sit on small brass hexagons beside the inlaid squares, and the 32 pieces are turned, pale on one side and dark-stained on the other.

Open it and the backgammon field is inside: pale points along a scalloped rail, a pair of pomegranates in one half and a bunch of grapes in the other, both in pale wood. Small enough to travel in its bag, big enough for a proper game of nardi.

Specifications

• Size: 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″
• Material: beech wood, dark-stained, with inlaid pale and brown squares
• Carving: Mount Ararat in pale relief between raised leaf scrolls at each end, diamond lattice down both sides, ribbon border, waved edge, brass hexagon coordinates; inlaid points with pomegranates and grapes inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces in pale beech and dark walnut; 32 wooden backgammon checkers; pair of dice
• Folded: 20 × 40 cm / 7.9″ × 15.7″
• Hardware: bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved beech board — chess outside, backgammon inside
• 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark
• 32 wooden backgammon checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Scrolls in the round: the leaf scrolls beside each Ararat stand clear of the surface — carved, not cut in.
• Two fields, two fruits: chess on top; inside, nardi with a pomegranate in one half and grapes in the other.
• Sized to go with you: folds to a slim case and slips into its bag for the car, the train or the next house.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The peaks, the lattice and the ribbon border are cut into the dark-stained beech, the scrolls are carved in the round and stand off the surface, and the squares, points and fruit are inlaid pale wood. Nothing is printed.

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. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed.

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