Luxury Pomegranate Armenian Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut

Luxury Pomegranate Armenian Backgammon Set Carved in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

Eight lobed panels, each holding three pomegranates on a stem of acanthus, circle the sun roundel at the centre of this luxury Armenian backgammon set — a beaded ring round them, an eight-point star in every corner — carved in deep relief across a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set built around one symbol and nothing else: the fruit is round and full, the leaves curl over the lobes of the panels, the ground behind them is stippled by hand and the sun at the centre is cut as a wheel of pointed rays. The design runs across both halves, so it shows whole when the board lies open lid-up and as a half-circle when it stands closed.

Open it the other way for the game: the walnut field is left plain, the points scored in fine lines with arrow tips, a knot of scrolls drawn in the middle of each half, a trough along each end for the checkers and dice. Two brass clasps hold the halves shut.

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: eight lobed panels of pomegranates and acanthus round a sun roundel, beaded ring, eight-point star in each corner, stippled ground; line-work points and a scroll knot in each half 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

• Pomegranates all round: twenty-four fruit in eight carved panels, every one standing off the ground.
• A sun at the centre: a wheel of pointed rays where the eight panels meet.
• Walnut inside: the plain field, with the points and scroll knots cut in line work.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The pomegranates, leaves, sun and stars are cut in relief into the walnut, the ground between them is stippled by hand, the ring is beaded, and the points and knots inside are scored in line work. Nothing is printed or pressed.

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.