David of Sassoun Rearing Horse Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

David of Sassoun Rearing Horse Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Up on its hind legs with the rider's sword swung out level, the horse of David of Sassoun rears in the leaf-chain roundel of this Armenian backgammon set, cut in relief on a cross-hatched ground over rocks, with leaf sprays either side and a leaf-chain border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

It is the pose of the statue by the railway station in Yerevan, and the carver kept all of it: the forelegs pawing the air, the mane thrown back, the rider twisted in the saddle with the blade held out at arm's length. The smooth figure against the hatched ground makes it readable from across the room. The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and medium squares between two acanthus scroll brackets with stippled pockets.

Lift the lid and the country is there: an incised province map of Armenia, every region lettered in Armenian, sits in each half between the spear-tipped points, with troughs along the rails and two ornamental hinges on the spine. 32 wooden checkers and a dice set come with it, and two front clasps hold it shut.

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: David of Sassoun on a rearing horse with his sword held out, over rocks on a cross-hatched ground, in a leaf-chain roundel; leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border with stippled corner spandrels on a wavy-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
• 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

• The national epic on the lid: David, hero of the Daredevils of Sassoun, in the pose every Armenian knows from the Yerevan statue.
• Armenia inside too: a lettered province map in each half under the points.
• Wavy edges: the scalloped outline runs round every side of the case, not just the lid.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the rider carved in relief? Yes — the whole group is in relief: horse, rider, sword and the rocks under the hooves all stand clear of the cross-hatched ground, as the close-up shows. Five photos, board only; the checkers and the dice set come from the maker's specification, and no bag is included.

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 horse 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.