Luxury Armenian Alphabet Backgammon Set with Coat of Arms and Ararat

Luxury Armenian Alphabet Backgammon Set with Coat of Arms and Ararat — Handmade in Armenia

One face of this luxury Armenian backgammon set carries the Armenian alphabet, every letter standing proud of a stippled ground inside an arched rope frame; the other carries the coat of arms — eagle and lion round the shield — in one round and Mount Ararat in another. Scrollwork fills the corners and beaded and rope mouldings frame each face. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, walnut, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set carved on every surface it has: the letters are cut so deep they throw their own shadow, the arms and the mountain sit in rope-ringed rounds with leafy scrolls between them, the rims are beaded and twisted, and even the side edges of the board carry a running band of carved scrolls. Small brass clasps hold the two halves shut.

Inside, the walnut is left plain and figured: a lined round with a many-petalled centre in each half, points drawn as looped arrow outlines, arched scallops at the ends and a trough beneath them where the checkers and dice go.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the figure of the grain showing inside
• Carving: the Armenian alphabet in high relief inside an arched rope frame on one face; coat of arms of Armenia and Mount Ararat in rope-ringed rounds on the other; scrollwork corners, beaded and rope mouldings, a scroll band on the side edges; looped-outline points, a lined round in each half and arched scallops inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Letters you can read with a fingertip: each one carved clear of the ground, in order.
• Two faces, three symbols: the alphabet on one side, the arms and Ararat on the other.
• Walnut inside: figured wood, looped points and a lined round in each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? It is — every letter, the eagle and lion, the mountain and the scrolls are relief left standing when the walnut round them was cut back and stippled, on both faces and the side edges, and the field inside is scored into the wood rather than printed on it. No pressing, no applied parts.

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? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Dust the carving with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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