Hayk Nahapet Archer Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Hayk Nahapet Archer Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Legs braced wide on the rocks and the great bow held out at arm's length, Hayk Nahapet fills the leaf-chain roundel of this Armenian backgammon set, cut in relief on a cross-hatched ground with leaf sprays either side and a leaf-chain border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The pose is the one from the statue in Yerevan: bearded, crested, tunic to the knee, the drawn arm pulled right back, the rocks under his feet cut as separate blocks. Because the ground behind him is hatched and the figure is smooth, he stands out the moment the board is closed. The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and medium squares between two acanthus scroll brackets with stippled pockets.

Under the points inside, each half carries an incised province map of Armenia with every region lettered in Armenian — the country under the game. Spear-tipped points, troughs along the rails, two ornamental hinges on the spine and two front clasps complete it; 32 wooden checkers and a dice set come with the board.

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: Hayk Nahapet drawing his bow, feet braced on rocks, 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 first Armenian: Hayk, who felled Bel with one arrow — the figure the nation's own name comes from, on the lid.
• 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 figure carved in relief? Yes — Hayk, the bow and the rocks stand above the cross-hatched ground, and the close-up photo shows the depth of the arms and the crest. The five photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 figure 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.