Panda Backgammon Set with Handle

Panda Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A panda looks straight out of the rope-bordered roundel on this carved backgammon set, its face left in pale wood with the ears, eye patches, nose and shoulders picked out in black, the fur cut in fine strands over a cross-hatched ground. Lobed panels of stippling and a diamond lattice cover the rest of the lid, and a cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

For the shelf there is a quieter side: light and dark squares inlaid flush across the middle of the back, and a whorl carved in the lobed panel at either end of it.

Inside, the wooden backgammon set is inlaid in pale wood with fleur-tipped points and a sun-wheel roundel ringed with scrolls in each half; side grips, corner dice recesses and brass-toned hinges. Thirty-two beech and walnut checkers and 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, mid-brown stain with pale wood inlays and black-toned panda markings, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: panda face in pale wood with black ears, eye patches and shoulders on a cross-hatched ground in a rope-bordered roundel, stippled lobed panels and diamond lattice; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and a sun-wheel roundel ringed with scrolls in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two tones, one face: pale wood for the fur, black for the ears, eyes and shoulders — the panda reads from across the room.
• Fur in strands: the cheeks and brow are cut in fine lines over a cross-hatched ground, so the face stands off it.
• Sun wheels inside: an inlaid sun-wheel roundel ringed with scrolls in each half beside the points.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the black part a second wood? The photos show the ears, eye patches, nose and shoulders in solid black against the pale carved face; we describe it as black-toned rather than name a species. The old copy listed a carrying bag that is not photographed, so it is not included here.

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 faces 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.