Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Backgammon Set with Handle

Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Etchmiadzin Cathedral stands in relief inside the rope-bordered roundel of this Armenian backgammon set, its domes, gables and walled gateway carved in the wood with ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ cut in Armenian letters beneath. Two cast-metal Armenian coat-of-arms emblems sit in smaller roundels on either side, over a diamond lattice ground, and a cut-out carry handle runs through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The other outer face of the wooden backgammon board holds a chequered panel of pale and dark squares between two more coat-of-arms emblems in rope-bordered roundels, on the same lattice ground.

Inside, two maps are inlaid in pale wood with their provinces lettered in Armenian — historic Armenia in one half, the Republic with Artsakh in the other — between pale inlaid points with arrow tips. Rope-carved handle bars run along the sides with a dice recess in each corner. Thirty-two 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: beech wood, dark stained with pale wood inlays, cast-metal emblems, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Etchmiadzin Cathedral with ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ in Armenian letters in a rope-bordered roundel, two cast-metal Armenian coat-of-arms emblems on a diamond lattice ground; chequered panel between two emblems on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Emblems: four cast-metal Armenian coat-of-arms emblems, two on each outer face
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and two inlaid maps of Armenia lettered in Armenian; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• The mother cathedral, named: Etchmiadzin carved in relief with its name cut in Armenian letters below.
• Coat of arms four times over: cast-metal eagle-and-lion emblems in the side roundels of both faces.
• Two maps inside: historic Armenia and today's Republic, inlaid in pale wood with every province lettered.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the cathedral bronze? No — the cathedral, its lettering and the lattice are all carved beech under a dark stain. The only metal on the outside is the four small cast coat-of-arms emblems in the side roundels. The old listing described bronze-toned domes; the photos show plain stained wood with the metal confined to the emblems.

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.