Armenian and Russian Arms Backgammon Set with Handle

Armenian and Russian Arms Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Side by side and the same size, the coat of arms of Armenia and the double-headed eagle of Russia each fill a rope-rimmed roundel on this Armenian backgammon set, carved in one tone on cross-hatched grounds, a leaf knot between them and a rope border. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm, handmade in Armenia.

Nothing on the lid is painted or inlaid — it is relief alone — but flip the board and pale and dark squares are set into the reverse as a chequered panel, a leaf-scroll cartouche carved at each end.

Open, both emblems return in pale inlay, the Armenian arms in one half and the Russian eagle in the other, between fleur-tipped inlaid points, with side grips, corner dice recesses and 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 brown stain with pale inlays inside, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the coat of arms of Armenia, eagle and lion round the shield, in one rope-rimmed roundel and the double-headed eagle of Russia in the other, both on cross-hatched grounds, a leaf knot between them and a rope border; leaf-scroll cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips, the Armenian coat of arms inlaid in one half and the Russian double-headed eagle in the other; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Equal billing: the two coats of arms are carved to the same size in matching roundels, neither above the other.
• Both inside too: each emblem is inlaid again in pale wood in its own half of the playing side.
• Two handles: a cut-out grip in each half, so the closed board lifts by either edge.

Good to Know Before You Buy

What do the photos actually show? Five views of the board itself — lid, reverse, flat and open — and nothing else. Checkers and dice come from the maker's specification and are not pictured; the carrying bag mentioned in the earlier listing does not appear in any photo and is not part of this set. The two emblems inlaid inside were also left out of the old description.

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 relief with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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