Fleur-de-Lis Arcade Travel Chess and Backgammon Set

Fleur-de-Lis Arcade Travel Chess and Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

Pointed arches march round the field of this travel chess and backgammon set, a carved lily standing in every one, on a square-edged board stained walnut brown with brass coordinate discs. 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″ open, handmade in Armenia from beech, with 32 turned pieces, 32 checkers, dice and a bag.

This is the wooden chess set that wears a cathedral's edge. Every arch is cut in relief on a stippled ground, sharing its column with the next so the band never breaks, and a lily rises in each one; the coordinates are brass discs beside the inlaid squares. The 32 pieces are turned in two woods, pale and dark.

Open it and the backgammon field is inside — pale points under a scalloped rail and a carved flower wheel in each half, with the checkers and dice in the bag. It folds to a slim case on bronze hinges, small enough to travel and carved enough to stay out.

Specifications

• Size: 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″
• Material: beech wood, stained walnut brown, with inlaid pale and brown squares
• Carving: arcade of pointed arches with a fleur-de-lis in each, on a stippled ground round all four sides; brass coordinate discs; inlaid points and a flower wheel in each half inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces in pale beech and dark walnut; 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 beech 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

• A Gothic arcade: arch after arch, each with its lily, carved in relief round the whole field.
• Two games in one case: chess on the lid, nardi inside with a flower wheel in each half.
• Small enough to travel: folds to a slim case and goes in the bag.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the arches carved? Carved, all of it. The arches and the lilies inside them stand in relief on a stippled ground cut by hand; the squares outside and the points inside are inlaid wood; the coordinates are brass discs let into the frame. Nothing is printed or glued on.

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.