Eagle Head Backgammon Set with Scroll Brackets and Handle

Eagle Head Backgammon Set with Scroll Brackets and Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Neck feathers combed back in overlapping rows, an eagle's head in profile fills the roundel of this carved backgammon set — hooked beak, sharp eye, the crown feathered in fine strokes — in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim with leaf scrolls and an oval grip through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse breaks from the usual grapes: the inlaid chequered panel of pale and darker squares is bracketed on each side by a tall stippled scroll, curled at top and bottom like a bracket, with the grip cut above the panel and two small brass-toned clasps at the front.

Open it up and the playing side is dark and quiet: a wheel of petals scored into the middle of each half, twelve drop-shaped points cut above and below, a scalloped edge to the bar, troughs at the rails and corners, and two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: eagle's head in profile with layered neck feathers, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; stippled scroll brackets flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised petalled wheel in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• A head, not a glide: the old copy had an eagle soaring; the carving is a close profile of the head, beak to nape.
• Scroll brackets: the reverse uses tall stippled scrolls instead of the grape cartouches on most boards in this family.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the eagle in flight? No — there are no wings on the board; the roundel holds an eagle's head in profile. The six photos show the board alone; checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 feathers, the scrolls and the cross-hatched ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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