Armenian Bird Letter Backgammon Set with Handle

Armenian Bird Letter Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

At the centre of this Armenian backgammon set a single bird-letter stands in a stippled roundel: a long-necked bird and a flowering stem bent into one character, in the old Armenian manuscript style. Symmetrical leaf scrolls curl out on either side over diamond lattice panels, and a cut-out carry handle runs through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The wooden backgammon board is stained a warm brown throughout. Its other outer face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and dark squares between two more lattice panels with the same leaf scrolls around them.

Open, the board shows pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an interlaced pale-wood roundel in each half, with cut-out grips in the side rails and a dice recess at each corner. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers, pale and dark, and a pair of dice are included.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, brown stained with pale wood inlays, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Armenian bird-letter in a stippled roundel, symmetrical leaf scrolls and diamond lattice panels; inlaid chequered panel between lattice panels on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an interlaced pale-wood roundel in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• A letter made of a bird: the roundel holds one character in the Armenian bird-letter tradition, not a blank.
• Mirror-image scrolls: the leafwork on the left repeats exactly on the right, either side of the roundel.
• Two textures behind it: stippling inside the roundel, a cut lattice in the panels beside it.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the centre left bare for a name? No. The old listing described a smooth empty oval; the photos show a stippled roundel with a carved bird-letter in it. If you want lettering added, ask before ordering — as sold, the centre is already carved.

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? Brush the carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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