Garni Temple Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Garni Temple Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Six columns, a pediment and a tall flight of steps: the Temple of Garni stands on its podium on this Armenian backgammon set, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, with broad curling leaves and stippled grape clusters filling the rest of the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse repeats the scrolls — big curling leaves with stippled grapes at either end — and sets a flush inlay of pale and dark squares between them.

Inside, an outline map of Armenia with its regions is incised into the middle of each half, arrow-tipped points run above and below, and a trough for the checkers is cut along each outer rail. Two plain brass-toned hinges, no cut-out grip. The six photos show the board alone.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, red-brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the Temple of Garni — columned portico, pediment and stepped podium — in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, broad leaf-and-grape scrolls either side on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape scrolls flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised arrow-tipped points and an incised outline map of Armenia with regions in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Columns you can count: the portico is cut column by column, each fluted shaft standing free of the cross-hatched ground behind it.
• The steps too: Garni's tall stair is carved tread by tread up to the podium, which is what makes the temple recognisable.
• Armenia inside: an outline map of the country with its regions is cut into each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the temple carved across the whole lid? No — the old copy said the colonnade runs across the lid, but the temple sits inside a roundel with leaf-and-grape scrolls filling the lid either side. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the six photos show the board only with two plain hinges, and the checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification.

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 columns, the steps and the cross-hatched ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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