David of Sassoun and the Archer Armenian Backgammon Set

David of Sassoun and the Archer Armenian Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

David of Sassoun rears his horse and swings his sword on one face of this carved Armenian backgammon set, while a crowned archer draws his bow on the other — both cut in deep relief inside a frame of pomegranates, grapes and vine leaves, in dark-stained beech. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Both outer faces are carved, so the wooden backgammon board shows a hero whichever way it lies on the table. The pomegranates split open at the corners and the grape bunches stand almost clear of the surface; the wavy outer edge is worked with a plaited band all the way round.

Inside, the points are inlaid in pale wood on the dark ground, each tipped with a small arrow mark, with a pale interlaced roundel in the middle of each half and a dice recess in every corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice come with the board; two clasps lock the halves shut.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark stained, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: David of Sassoun with raised sword on a rearing horse on one face, crowned archer drawing his bow on the other, both framed by pomegranates, grapes and vine leaves over a stippled ground; plaited band around the edge
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an interlaced roundel in each half; dice recesses in the corners
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board, carved on both outer faces
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two heroes: the horseman on one face, the archer on the other — no plain lid.
• Depth of relief: the horse's chest and the grape bunches stand well clear of the stippled ground.
• A worked interior: pale inlaid points and roundels instead of a printed field.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are both faces carved? Yes — David on his horse fills one face and the archer the other, both in deep relief with the fruit and leaves around them; the plaited band runs round the edge of each. The points and roundels inside are pale wood set into the dark beech.

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 relief with a soft dry brush and wipe the inside with a dry cloth. Keep the board away from direct sun and radiators and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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