Walnut Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Basket Weave Border

Walnut Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Basket Weave Border — Handmade in Armenia

A basket weave runs round the frame of this walnut travel chess and backgammon set — strips carved to pass over and under each other on a square-edged board — with chess outside and backgammon inside. 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″ open, handmade in Armenia, with pieces, checkers, dice and a bag.

This is the wooden chess set that looks upholstered from across the table. The weave is cut in relief, each band riding over and under the next with a stippled ground showing in the gaps, running the full width of the frame to a plain moulded edge; the coordinates sit on brass discs beside the inlaid squares, and the 32 pieces are turned in pale wood and dark.

Turn it over and the backgammon field is ready: pale points tipped with a fleur-de-lis run in from each end towards a lace-work disc inlaid at the heart of each half, and a row of carved arches closes the rails. The checkers and dice ride in the bag with the chess pieces, and two bronze clasps hold the folded board shut.

Specifications

• Size: 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″
• Material: walnut wood in a warm brown finish, with inlaid pale and brown squares and brass coordinate discs
• Carving: basket weave in relief round the whole frame on a stippled ground, moulded straight edge; inlaid points with fleur-de-lis tips and a lace-work disc in each half inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark; 32 wooden backgammon checkers; pair of dice
• Folded: 20 × 40 cm / 7.9″ × 15.7″
• Hardware: bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut board — chess outside, backgammon inside
• 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark
• 32 wooden backgammon checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Woven in the wood: real over-and-under strips in relief, right round the frame.
• Chess out, nardi in: a plain inlaid field on top, a lace-disc backgammon field underneath, checkers and dice included.
• Shelf to table in one move: a compact board that folds shut on two clasps and goes in the bag.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The weave is carved into the wood in relief with the ground stippled by hand between the strips, the coordinates are brass discs let in beside the field, and the squares and the points and discs inside are inlaid wood. Nothing is printed.

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. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed.

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