Tree of Life Walnut Backgammon Set in Red Epoxy, Medium

Tree of Life Walnut Backgammon Set in Red Epoxy, Medium by Hrachya Ohanyan

A tree of life in pale walnut — roots, trunk, spreading branches, leaves and two birds — standing on a disc of ruby-red resin. 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 wedding table and the player who wants the tree of life to glow rather than sit in shadow. The disc is cut down around the tree so every branch, leaf and bird stands at the height of the lid, then ruby-red resin is poured to fill the ground and sanded level — the red has a faint pearl swirl in it, like wine held up to the light. A rope-and-bead ring frames it, and cusped panels of chip-carved star lattice reach the corners.

Open it and the colour stops: the inside is plain varnished walnut with the points cross-hatched in fine lines, a fleur-de-lys at every tip, a petal wheel ringed with scrolls on each half and a brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark on the bar. For the anniversary, the red-and-gold living room, and the player who wants the board to be the warmest thing on the table.

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; ruby-red epoxy resin around the tree
• Decoration: a tree of life — roots, trunk, branches, leaves and two birds — left standing in the walnut over a pour of ruby-red epoxy resin with a pearl swirl, 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

• Walnut backgammon board with a red epoxy tree of life disc, carved lattice around it
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Red behind the tree: the walnut is left standing and the red is poured round it, so the tree is real wood and the ground is glass-smooth resin that catches the light.
• Fits the coffee table: the whole lid — tree, lattice, rope borders — is there on the medium board, which plays on a coffee table and travels in a weekend 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

Is the red painted on? No — it is epoxy resin. The walnut around the tree is cut down, the red resin is poured into the disc, and once it has set it is sanded flush with the wood and polished, so the tree and the ground are one level surface. The faint swirl in the red is in the resin itself. The lattice either side is 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.