Saint Gayane Church Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Saint Gayane Church Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

The three-arched porch of Saint Gayane Church stands in front of its drum and dome on this Armenian backgammon set, carved in relief on a stippled ground inside a plain-rimmed roundel, with broad leaf scrolls and stippled grape clusters filling the rest of the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turned over, the closed board is a draughts board: pale and dark squares inlaid flush into the reverse, the same leaf-and-grape scrolls carved at either end.

Open it and Armenia appears twice, an outline map with its regions cut into each half between rows of drop-shaped incised points; the bar edges are scalloped and the rails and corners cut with troughs, on plain brass-toned hinges. 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, dark brown stain with a pale wood chequered inlay, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: Saint Gayane Church with its three-arched porch and dome in a roundel on a stippled ground, leaf scrolls and stippled grape clusters across the lid; leaf-and-grape scrolls flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised outline map of Armenia with its regions in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Edges: wavy outline, no cut-out grip
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• The porch that names it: the three arches in front of the domed church are what make Saint Gayane recognisable at a glance.
• Armenia inside: an outline map of the country with its regions is cut into each half of the playing side.
• Chequered reverse: turn it over and a pale-and-dark inlaid panel gives you a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How does this differ from the other Saint Gayane board? This one has no cut-out grip, a wavy edge and leaf scrolls right across the lid instead of a rope border, and the interior maps are incised, not inlaid. There is no bag with either: the old copy listed one, but the six photos show the board only, 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 church and the scrolls 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.