Ararat and Khor Virap Landscape Walnut Backgammon Set

Ararat and Khor Virap Landscape Walnut Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

Both peaks of Ararat stand over the walled monastery of Khor Virap on this walnut Armenian backgammon set, the sky stippled, the fields cut as lines radiating from the walls and a leafy branch curling in from each top corner to frame the scene. The edge of the board is shaped in scallops rather than cut straight. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The walnut is a deep red-brown with the grain showing through the sky. On the other outer face of the wooden backgammon board a chequered panel with a four-petal flower in every square sits between two panels of scrolls drawn as fan-tailed birds over a honeycomb ground.

Inside, a map is incised into each half with its provinces lettered in Armenian — historic Armenia in one, the Republic with Artsakh in the other — between incised points with leaf tips, with a round dice recess at each end of the side rails. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers and a pair of dice are included.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, natural finish, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Ararat and Khor Virap landscape framed by leafy branches, scalloped edge; chequered panel with flower squares between fan-tailed bird scrolls on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Inside: incised points with leaf tips and two incised maps of Armenia lettered in Armenian; dice recesses in the side rails
• Edge: scalloped outline on all four sides
• Hardware: decorated brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding walnut backgammon board
• 32 turned wooden checkers, beech and walnut
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two peaks, one monastery: the whole Ararat plain carved as a picture, fields and all, across the closed board.
• Maps under the checkers: historic Armenia and today's Republic incised inside, every province named.
• A shaped board: scalloped edges and branch scrolls, so the outline itself is part of the carving.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is there a cut-out grip for carrying? No. The scalloped edge runs unbroken around the board and there is no cut-out grip; it closes on two side clasps and is carried like a case under the arm. The scene, the maps and the flower squares are cut into the walnut itself — nothing is printed or applied.

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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces 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.