Sunburst Ornament Walnut Backgammon Set in Blue Epoxy, Medium

Sunburst Ornament Walnut Backgammon Set in Blue Epoxy, Medium by Hrachya Ohanyan

A sunburst of walnut lozenges radiating from an eternity whirl, the ground between them poured in pearl-blue resin, on a disc between panels of star lattice. This is the 50 cm / 19.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, classic outline. Handmade in walnut, with 32 checkers, dice cut from billiard balls and a branded case.

This is the board for the coffee table rather than the dining table, the room with the turquoise cushions, and the player who wants pattern and colour without a picture. The disc is a lattice of kites and diamonds left standing in the walnut, ring inside ring, each one edged in a dark line; the spaces between are poured with pearl-blue resin and polished level, and an eternity whirl in line work sits at the hub. Either side, cusped panels of chip-carved star lattice; diamond lattice out to the rim.

Inside, the walnut is left natural and the work is line: points with a cross-hatched fill and fleur-de-lys tips, a petal wheel in a scrolled ring on each half, and a stamped brass hinge on the bar. Closed, it sits on a shelf where the full-size board would not. For the flat, the summer house, and the player who wants blue on the lid and plain walnut under the checkers.

Specifications

• Size open: 50 × 50 cm / 19.6″ × 19.6″
• Size folded: 50 × 25 cm / 19.6″ × 9.8″
• Material: walnut wood, natural colour, varnished; pearl-blue epoxy resin in the sunburst
• Decoration: a sunburst of kite- and diamond-shaped lozenges radiating from an eternity whirl, cut as a lattice into the walnut with the ground between filled with pearl-blue epoxy resin, sanded flush and polished, inside a rope-and-bead ring; cusped panels of chip-carved star lattice either side; diamond lattice on the outer fields; rope-and-bead borders; petal wheels in scrolled rings and cross-hatched points in line work inside
• Outline: Classic — straight edges and square corners
• Hardware: brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark, cast-bronze clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Epoxy-inlaid walnut backgammon board, carved lattice around the disc
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Walnut stars, blue ground: every kite and diamond is the lid itself left standing; the blue is poured round them and polished flush, so the pattern is wood and the colour is glass-smooth.
• Coffee-table size: the medium board keeps every panel of lattice and every line of the wheels, on a footprint that suits a smaller table and a smaller bag.
• Make it theirs: add a name or a date at checkout to mark a birthday, a retirement or years of games together.

Good to Know Before You Buy

What is the pattern on the lid? A sunburst: rings of kite- and diamond-shaped lozenges radiating from an eternity whirl, cut as a lattice into the walnut with the ground between them lowered and filled with pearl-blue epoxy resin, then sanded flush and polished. The lattice panels either side are chip-carved, the inside is cut in line work, and the board is varnished. Nothing is printed or applied.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free to the US, Canada and Europe, always tracked; other countries pay a flat $100 (Brazil, Chile and New Zealand $200). 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 in its carrying case.

About the Artist - Hrachya Ohanyan

National Master Hrachya Ohanyan began his fine woodcraft in 1985 and founded his workshop in Yerevan in 2010. This board belongs to his collection of wooden backgammon sets, each one made by hand by the craftspeople of that workshop. Read Hrachya Ohanyan's story or explore the full backgammon collection.

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