Spider on Its Web Backgammon Set with Handle

Spider on Its Web Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A web of fine incised threads fills the roundel of this carved backgammon set, spokes and rings, the spider at its centre in full relief — eight jointed legs, a ridged abdomen — on a stippled ground inside a rope rim, leaf scrolls either side, rope border, wavy-edged lid. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse carries no spider — only an inlaid grid of light and dark squares across the middle, bracketed by two carved leaf-and-grape cartouches, with the second grip above.

The open board in the photos shows arrow-tipped points, a sunburst flower in a scrolled ring in each half and a trough along each outer rail beside the grip, with pale and dark wooden checkers, two dice and brass-toned hinges; a dark cloth carrying bag is photographed with the closed board.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a spider in full relief at the centre of an incised web filling a rope-rimmed roundel on a stippled ground, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark, grooved faces; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised arrow-tipped points and an incised sunburst flower in a scrolled ring in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges with an ornate one at the centre of the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Dark cloth carrying bag with handles

Why You'll Love It

• The web is the work: the threads are incised as single lines, spokes and rings, so the spider appears to sit on something spun rather than carved.
• Relief against line: the spider stands proud of the ground while the web stays flat — two depths in one roundel.
• Handle and bag: a grip is cut through each half, and the set comes with a cloth bag for carrying.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How big is the spider? It spans roughly a third of the roundel, legs outstretched, and the web behind it fills the rest — inside a round rope rim, not the oval the old copy described. Checkers, dice and bag are as photographed.

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 web lines and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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