Gyumri Holy Saviour Church Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Gyumri Holy Saviour Church Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

GYUMRI is lettered in raised capitals under the Church of the Holy Saviour on this Armenian backgammon set — arcaded walls, a small bell tower and a tall drum with a pointed dome, in relief on a cross-hatched ground in a leaf-chain roundel, leaf sprays either side of the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

It is a board for someone from Gyumri, or someone who loves the city: the church is drawn in elevation like an architect's sheet, every arch of the arcade and every window of the drum counted, and the name underneath leaves no doubt. The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and medium squares between two acanthus scroll brackets with stippled pockets.

Inside there is a province map of Armenia incised into each half with the regions lettered in Armenian, spear-tipped points, troughs along the rails with two round dice cups in each side rail, and two ornamental hinges on the spine. 32 wooden checkers and a dice set come with the board.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark red-brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: Church of the Holy Saviour in elevation — arcaded walls, bell tower, drum and pointed dome — over raised GYUMRI lettering, cross-hatched ground, in a leaf-chain roundel; leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border with stippled corner spandrels on a straight-edged lid; inlaid chequered panel between stippled acanthus brackets on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: an incised province map of Armenia lettered in Armenian in each half; incised spear-tipped points; checker troughs along the rails, two round dice cups in each side rail
• Hardware: two ornamental 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
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice set

Why You'll Love It

• A city, not just a symbol: the Holy Saviour church with GYUMRI cut beneath it — the board for anyone whose family comes from Armenia's second city.
• Armenia inside too: a lettered province map in each half under the points.
• Straight edges: the plain rectangular case sits flat on a shelf with the clasps closed.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the church carved in relief? Yes — the walls, dome and lettering stand above the cross-hatched ground, and the close-up photo shows the arcade and the drum in depth. The five photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set 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 hatched ground, the arcade and the leaf chain 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 store it closed.

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