Leaf Ornament Backgammon Set with Contour Outline

Leaf Ornament Backgammon Set with Contour Outline by Hrachya Ohanyan

A pale disc of curled leaves with a small eternity whirl at its heart, carved in relief on a lid of tiny stars, the edge scrolled and scalloped. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, contour outline. Made by hand in beech, with 32 wooden checkers, dice and a carrying bag.

This is the board for the Armenian household that wants the contour shape — the swelling shoulders and curled corners of the dearer boards — on a beech body at a fair price. On the lid, four pairs of leaves curl out from the whirl, cut in relief and left pale on a lowered dark disc inside a rope ring; the rest of the cover is a fine lattice of tiny stars, and a rope border runs the whole scrolled edge, shoulder to corner.

Inside, pale drop-tipped points on a walnut-brown field, a petal wheel cut into each half and a brass hinge; on the back, an eternity whirl in line work sits in each rounded end. For the wedding present, the diaspora kitchen, and the player who wants the Armenian sign without a flag on the lid.

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 relief left pale
• Carving: leaf ornament of four curled leaf pairs round an eternity whirl, in relief on a dark disc inside a rope ring; fine star lattice across the lid; rope borders along the scrolled edge; two eternity whirls in line work on the back
• Outline: Contour — scrolled edges with swelling shoulders and curled corners
• Hardware: cast-bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board
• 32 beech and walnut checkers
• Dice set
• Black carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Contour on a budget: the scrolled outline of the big-ticket boards, here on the beech body, with the star lattice following every curve of the edge.
• Sign at the heart: the eternity whirl sits at the centre of the leaves, pale on dark, so the board is Armenian at a glance and ornament at a second look.
• 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 leaf ornament carved? Carved, yes: the leaf pairs and the whirl stand proud of a lowered ground that is stained dark, so the pale figure is the wood itself, not a paint. The tiny stars across the lid and the rope borders are cut in too; the back-cover whirls are drawn as line work. Everything is varnished; nothing is printed or stuck on.

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 bag.

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.