Acanthus Star Backgammon Set with Contour Outline, Two-Sided

Acanthus Star Backgammon Set with Contour Outline, Two-Sided by Hrachya Ohanyan

An eight-pointed star of long leaves with a heart of acanthus scrolls between every pair of points, carved in deep relief on a stippled disc — the same on both covers. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, contour outline, two-sided. Handmade in beech, 32 checkers, dice and a branded case.

This is the board for the hallway console, the hand that wants carving to feel, and the player who wants the scrolled edge without the walnut price. The star is cut in layers: eight leaves run out from a pinpoint centre, each ridged down the middle, and between every two a pair of acanthus curls meets in a heart, all standing clear of a ground lowered and stippled. A rope-and-bead ring holds the disc; cusped panels of star stipple and diamond lattice run out to the scrolled contour edge.

Open it and the inside is quieter: the points alternate pale beech and stained brown, each ending in a fleur-de-lys, with a pale petal wheel in scrolls on each half and the maker's stamped brass hinge on the bar; close it and turn it over, and the second star is waiting. For the housewarming, the father-in-law, and the player who wants the lid to be the show.

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 and petal wheels left unstained
• Carving: an eight-pointed star of ridged leaves with a heart of paired acanthus scrolls between each pair of points, in deep relief on a lowered stippled disc inside a rope-and-bead ring, the same on both covers; cusped panels of chip-carved star stipple, diamond lattice and rope-and-bead borders to the scrolled contour edge; points alternating pale and stained with fleur-de-lys tips, and pale petal wheels in scrolled rings inside
• Outline: Contour — scrolled edges with swelling shoulders and curled 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

• Deep enough to hold a shadow: the leaves and scrolls are carved in layers and the ground is cut down and stippled beneath them, so the star throws real shadows as the light moves.
• The same star on both covers: there is no back to this board — close it either way up and the carving faces the room.
• 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 ornament carved or moulded? Carved, from the beech itself: the leaves and the acanthus curls are cut in layers and the ground between them is lowered and stippled by hand, then the board is stained walnut brown and varnished, with the points and petal wheels inside left pale. Both covers carry the same star. Nothing is moulded, 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.