Damask Disc Armenian Backgammon Set, 4 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia
A damask of curling leaf scrolls, drawn in dark on a pale-wood disc and closing symmetrically round a central flower, is the whole ornament of this Armenian backgammon set; the disc sits in a stepped cartouche between stippled panels, a diamond lattice bordering the lid. Four sizes, 30 to 60 cm square (11.8″ to 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.
Face down, the board still shows work: a chequered panel of pale and dark squares inlaid between two lattice ends inside the stepped frame.
Inside, an inlaid knotwork roundel in pale wood sits in each half between fleur-tipped inlaid points; the rails carry checker troughs and the hinges are brass-toned. The checkers, a dice set and a black carrying bag all come with it.
Specifications
- Size: four sizes — 30 × 30 cm, 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (11.8″, 15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
- Size folded: 30 × 15 cm, 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (11.8″ × 5.9″, 15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
- Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with a pale wood disc and inlays, brass-toned hinges
- Carving: a pale-wood disc with a dark damask of curling leaf scrolls and small diamonds round a central flower, in a stepped cartouche with stippled panels and a diamond-lattice border; lattice and an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
- Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
- Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid knotwork roundel in each half; checker troughs along the sides
- Hardware: brass-toned hinges and front clasps
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding beech backgammon board
- 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
- Two dice
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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Dense and symmetrical: the scrolls mirror each other across the disc, so the pattern reads as one piece of cloth.
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Four sizes: from a 30 cm board that travels to a full 60 cm board, same disc on each.
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Everything included: the board, the checkers, a dice set and a carrying bag.
Good to Know Before You Buy
What are the 'intricate ornaments'? One disc, a dark damask of leaf scrolls on pale wood round a central flower, with a lattice border and stepped frame carved round it. The design is the same at all four sizes, and the 30 cm board is the travel size. The checkers, a dice set and the carrying bag all come with it.
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? Wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice and disc gently. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside, in the bag.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
