Luxury Eight-Point Star Armenian Backgammon Set with Eternity Suns

Luxury Eight-Point Star Armenian Backgammon Set with Eternity Suns — Handmade in Armenia

Three discs sit in a row on each face of this luxury Armenian backgammon set: a faceted eight-point star in the middle and a whirling eternity sun on either side, each inside a beaded ring on a stippled ground, the whole face bound by a twisted-rope border — carved in relief on a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that keeps its geometry clean. The star's eight points are cut as sharp pyramids that catch the light on alternate faces, the suns turn in twelve curved blades that seem to spin as you walk past, the rings are strung with carved beads, and the rope moulding round the edge is twisted in the round rather than scored flat. Both outer faces are carved alike.

Inside there is no ornament to distract: figured walnut, a flower with many petals drawn in each half, points as looped arrow outlines, arched scallops at the ends and a trough beneath them for the checkers and dice.

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: faceted eight-point star between two whirling eternity suns, each in a beaded ring on a stippled ground, twisted-rope border, the same on both faces; 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

• Star and suns: a sharp-cut octagram between two eternity signs that turn as you pass.
• Beads and rope: each disc rings itself in carved beads, the edge is a twisted rope.
• Walnut inside: figured wood, looped points and a flower in each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? It is — the star's facets, every sun blade, each bead and the twisted rope are relief left standing when the walnut round them was cut back and stippled, on both faces, and the field inside is scored into the wood rather than printed on it. 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.