Armenia and Russia Landmarks Carved Backgammon Set in Walnut

Armenia and Russia Landmarks Carved Backgammon Set in Walnut — Handmade in Armenia

Garni temple, the Armenian coat of arms and Etchmiadzin cathedral, each named in Armenian letters, fill one face of this carved Armenian backgammon set; turn it over and the Kremlin, the Russian double-headed eagle and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, named in Russian, fill the other. Walnut, 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

A grapevine frames both faces of the wooden backgammon board, its bunches carved almost in the round, and a cut-out carry handle sits in the top edge with the vine looping round it. Inside, the walnut field carries incised lattice points, the Armenian arms drawn in one half and the Russian eagle in the other, carved scalloped rails and a long recess in each corner for the dice.

A pair of dice and the wooden checkers, half dark and half pale, come in the case, which locks with a clasp at each side on brass hinges.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Garni temple, Armenian coat of arms and Etchmiadzin with ԳԱՔՆԻ and ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ lettering on one face; the Kremlin, Russian double-headed eagle and Christ the Saviour with КРЕМЛЬ and ХР.ХР.СПАСИТЕЛЯ on the other; grapevine frames; incised points and both arms inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip in the top edge
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding walnut backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two countries, one case: Armenia's landmarks on one face, Russia's on the other.
• Named in carving: Garni, Etchmiadzin, the Kremlin and Christ the Saviour lettered in the wood.
• Both arms inside: the Armenian eagle and lion in one half, the Russian eagle in the other.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes — the temple columns, the domes, the eagle's feathers and the grape bunches all stand in relief over a stippled ground, and the lettering is cut into the wood rather than printed. Inside, the arms and points are incised lines in the walnut.

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? Dust the relief with a soft brush and wipe the flat walnut with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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