Khor Virap and Vineyard Rows Backgammon Set with Handle

Khor Virap and Vineyard Rows Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Furrows fan out across the foreground like vineyard rows on this Armenian backgammon set, running towards the walled monastery of Khor Virap on its hill at the right, with Ararat's two peaks left in pale wood against a stippled sky — all inside a leaf-chain oval on a stippled wavy-edged lid with an oval grip through the top. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

On the back, the light squares of the chequered panel are both let into the dark wood and stamped with tiny flowers, and a stippled scroll curls up each side of the panel like a bracket; the grip is cut above it and a pair of small brass-toned clasps close the front.

The playing side shows the country in line: the provinces of Armenia, each outlined and named in Armenian script, are cut into the middle of each half, drop-shaped points above and below, with scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs and two ornamental brass-toned hinges.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark red-brown stain with pale wood inlay in the peaks and the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: Khor Virap monastery on its hill, Ararat's peaks in pale wood on a stippled sky and fanning vineyard furrows, in relief inside a leaf-chain oval on a stippled, wavy-edged lid; stippled scroll brackets flanking an inlaid and punched chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised province map of Armenia with Armenian lettering in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two ornamental brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• The road view: vineyard furrows in front, the monastery on its hill, the mountain over everything — the view from the Khor Virap road.
• Armenia inside: a labelled province map is incised into each half of the playing side.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is there a handle? Yes — the old listing did not mention it, but the photos show an oval grip cut through both halves at the top of the lid. The six photos show the board alone; checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free worldwide and tracked. Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.

How do I look after it? Brush the peaks, the furrows and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.