ARMENIA Lettering and Ararat Backgammon Set with Handle

ARMENIA Lettering and Ararat Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

ARMENIA is set into the lid of this Armenian backgammon set in pale-wood serif capitals, with Ararat's twin peaks above it — snow in the same pale wood, two poplars between the summits — on a stippled sky inside a leaf-chain oval, with an oval grip through the wavy top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn the board and the reverse carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and darker squares between two carved cartouches of stippled grapes and curling leaves, the grip cut above and two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge.

Unfold it and the country appears a second time, faintly: the outline of Armenia and its regions are scored into the wood of each half, twelve drop-shaped points above and below, the bar scalloped, troughs cut at the rails and corners, and two plain brass-toned hinges joining the halves.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the lettering, the peaks and the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: ARMENIA in inlaid pale-wood capitals beneath Ararat's snow peaks and two poplars on a stippled sky, inside a leaf-chain oval on a stippled, wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and a lightly incised outline map of Armenia with regions in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two plain 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

• Letters in light wood: the word is inlaid in pale wood rather than carved dark, so it reads from across the room.
• Armenia twice: the name on the lid and an outline map of the country incised into each half inside.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the lettering carved or inlaid? Inlaid — the capitals are separate pieces of pale wood let into the dark lid, matching the snow on the peaks. 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 lettering, the peaks 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.