Luxury Silver Wire Inlay Backgammon Set with Carved Interlace

Luxury Silver Wire Inlay Backgammon Set with Carved Interlace — Handmade in Armenia

A disc of carved interlace sits in a moulded round at the centre of each face on this luxury backgammon set, knotwork turning round a whirling sun, and on the flat panels either side a scrolled ornament is drawn in fine silver-coloured wire let into pale walnut, inside a carved knotwork border with a palmette in each corner. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that keeps its walnut light: the boards are figured, honey-pale walnut rather than dark, so the wire reads as a bright line on a soft ground and the carving shows its shadows without going black. Both outer faces are worked the same way, the border knots are undercut where they cross, and brass clasps hold it shut.

Inside the wire continues — every point is drawn in it, ending in a small scroll, and a wire sun-wheel sits in the middle of each half — on a field left plain. The checkers are pale and dark wood with a carved flower on each top; a pair of dice and a cloth carrying bag come with them.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: pale figured walnut wood, oiled finish, with silver-coloured wire inlay on the faces and inside
• Carving: interlace disc round a whirling sun in a moulded round, knotwork border, palmette corners, the same on both faces; wire-inlaid scroll panels either side, wire-drawn points and a wire sun-wheel in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark, each with a carved flower top; pair of dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board with wire inlay
• 32 wooden checkers with carved flower tops and a pair of dice
• Cloth carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Knot and wire together: a carved interlace disc in the middle, bright wire scrolls either side.
• Light walnut for once: honey-pale figured boards that show both the carving and the wire.
• Carved checkers: a small flower cut into the top of every one.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the silver line painted on? No — it is a fine wire let into channels cut in the walnut and pressed flush, on the faces and across the whole field inside, and the interlace, border and palmettes are relief left standing when the wood round them was cut back. Nothing is printed, nothing is glued on top.

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 and the wire with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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