Palmette Rosette Backgammon Set with Acanthus Scrolls

Palmette Rosette Backgammon Set with Acanthus Scrolls by Hrachya Ohanyan

A rosette of four heart-shaped leaves, each filled with a palmette of curls, round a small daisy centre, carved in deep relief on a stippled ground with a sweep of acanthus either side. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, classic outline. Handmade in beech, 32 checkers, dice and a branded case.

This is the board for the room with the carved sideboard, the wedding gift, and the player who wants the whole lid worked. The rosette stands well clear of the ground: each heart petal is hollowed and filled with a fan of curls, four smaller leaves spring between them, and the daisy at the centre is cut petal by petal. Either side, an acanthus C-scroll rolls in from the corner with leaf sprays behind it, all inside a beaded frame; diamond lattice fills the corners.

Open, the field is stained walnut brown with the points left pale beech in turn, a pale petal wheel ringed with scrolls on each half and a brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark on the bar; the back cover carries a chequerboard of pale and stained squares between two more panels of acanthus. For the fiftieth, the new dining room, and the player who wants carving they can count.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, stained walnut brown and varnished, the pale points, petal wheels and chequer squares left unstained
• Carving: a rosette of four heart-shaped leaves, each hollowed and filled with a palmette of curls, round a small daisy centre with four smaller leaves between, in deep relief on a stippled ground; an acanthus C-scroll with leaf sprays in a lobed cartouche either side; beaded frame, diamond lattice and leaf ornaments at the corners; back cover with a chequerboard of pale and stained squares between two acanthus panels and lattice; points alternating pale and stained with fleur-de-lys tips, and pale petal wheels in scrolled rings 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

• Hand-carved backgammon board, carved on both covers
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Every inch of the lid is worked: rosette, acanthus scrolls, beaded frame, lattice and corner leaves — there is no plain wood on the cover, and all of it is cut by hand.
• Petals you can put a finger in: each heart is hollowed and its curls stand clear of a stippled ground, so the carving reads from across the room and changes with the light.
• 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 on the back? A chequerboard of pale and stained squares, cut into the beech and framed by two more acanthus panels and diamond lattice, so the closed board is carved on both faces. The rosette and scrolls on the lid are cut in deep relief from the same beech, the board is stained walnut brown and varnished, and the points and petal wheels inside are left pale. 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.