Luxury Ararat Armenian Backgammon Set in an Ornate Carved Frame

Luxury Ararat Armenian Backgammon Set in an Ornate Carved Frame — Handmade in Armenia

Ararat's two peaks rise over poplars and fields inside a scrolled frame with a star at each corner on this luxury Armenian backgammon set, ARMENIA lettered on carved ribbons round the far face — cut in relief into a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board with a carry handle through each end, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that frames the mountain like a painting: the landscape sits in a lobed panel with its slopes stepped back in layers and its trees standing clear, the frame round it is scrolled and stippled, eight-point stars cap the corners, and the outline is sawn to the scrolls. The far face carries a carved panel between ARMENIA ribbons, and closed the two handles meet at the top.

Open the clasps and the field is quiet by contrast — walnut left to its own figure, twelve points a side in scored line work ending in an arrowhead, a single flower at the centre of each half, the handle openings at the ends and a trough beside each for the checkers and dice.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ — shaped outline
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the stripe of the grain showing inside
• Carving: Ararat over a poplar valley in relief inside a lobed panel, scrolled stippled frame, eight-point star bosses, ARMENIA ribbons on the far face, shaped outline, cut-out handle at each end; line-work points and a flower in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Carry handle: cut through each end, the two meeting at the top when closed
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board with a carry handle at each end
• 32 wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• The mountain in a frame: Ararat's valley carved in layers, scrolls and stars carved round it.
• Lifts from either end: a slot handle through each half, meeting at the top when closed.
• Named on the board: ARMENIA on carved ribbons, so the origin is part of the carving.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? It is. The peaks, trees, scrolls, stars and lettered ribbons are all relief cut from the walnut itself, the frame round them is stippled by hand, the edge is sawn to follow the scrolls, both handles are cut through, and the field inside is scored in line work. No print, 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.