Armenian Coat of Arms Backgammon Set with Inlaid Disc

Armenian Coat of Arms Backgammon Set with Inlaid Disc — Handmade in Armenia

A pale disc of inlaid wood carries the coat of arms of Armenia at the centre of this Armenian backgammon set — eagle and lion holding the shield, its four quarters and Ararat, over the sword, chain, wheat and ribbon — all drawn in fine black line inside a rope-bordered roundel, with a diamond lattice cut across the lobed panels on each side and a chip-carved border. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Underneath, the carved backgammon set carries a chequered panel of pale and dark squares set flush, with a whorl disc carved into the lattice panel to left and right.

Inside, both halves are inlaid in pale wood — fleur-tipped points and, at the centre of each, the same coat of arms facing its player — with cut-out grips in the rails, corner dice recesses and brass-toned hinges. Thirty-two beech and walnut checkers and dice are included.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, mid-brown stain with pale wood inlays and brass-toned hinges
• Decoration: coat of arms of Armenia drawn on a pale inlaid disc in a rope-bordered roundel, diamond lattice and chip-carved border on the lid; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid coat of arms of Armenia in each half; cut-out grips in the rails and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• Four quarters, legible: the dynastic quarters, Ararat and the ark are drawn in fine line on pale wood, so nothing blurs.
• Dark round pale: the lattice and border are carved dark, and the smooth pale disc is the only bright surface on the lid.
• Arms inside as well: the emblem is inlaid in each half, so both players sit behind the same shield.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the emblem carved in relief? No — the old listing spoke of the arms carved by hand, but the emblem is drawn in fine line on a pale inlaid disc; the relief work is the lattice and border around it. There is no cut-out top grip on this board; it lifts by the grips in its rails. The old copy also listed a carrying bag that is not photographed, so it is not included here.

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? Wipe the inlaid faces with a dry cloth and brush the lattice with a soft dry brush. 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.