Tawlet T-1

I grew up knowing it as Tawlet "Table" or Shesh Besh, from the Hebrew six "Shesh" and the Turkish five "Besh". With its first origins thought to be from Mesopotamia or Persia. The Romans embraced the game from the East, rapidly spreading it through its empire. They called it "Duodecum Scripta et Tabulae" or "Tables" for short. I wonder whether this was adopted from the Phoenicians or vice versa? Now, it's most commonly known as Backgammon which is thought to have been derived from the Saxon, in 1645, "Baec" (Back) and

"Gamen" (Game). Although the rules may vary slightly from culture to culture, the objective remains the same, each player aims to get all their stones safely home first, whilst attempting to stop their opponent from doing the same. Just like the Game of Ur.

This is the first Tawlet set from Oakes & Oakes. Designed with a purpleheart playfield the inlaid spikes are English sycamore (the light) and bog oak (the dark). Each of the spikes are finished with hand painted gold lustre. The stones are vintage, expertly turned from bone. One set dyed red the other natural. With the playfield framed in walnut, solid brass hinges and a little brass knob make opening this table a satisfying experience. Embedded in the frame are 8 magnets that allow for firm closure.