Saint Hripsime Church Backgammon Set with Handle

Saint Hripsime Church Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Saint Hripsime Church stands behind its precinct wall on this Armenian backgammon set — the arched gateway in front, the domed church rising over it, a paved court below — carved in relief in a rope-rimmed roundel between leaf scrolls, inside a rope-and-leaf border. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

On the reverse the leaf-and-grape cartouches return either side of a chequered panel inlaid in pale and dark squares, with the second handle cut through the top of that half.

The playing side is inlaid in pale wood: fleur-tipped points top and bottom and, in the middle of each half, an oval lettered ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ — Armenia — over Ararat, a pomegranate and a bunch of grapes. Grip slots are cut into the rails, troughs into the corners; the hinges are brass-toned. The five 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, medium brown stain with pale wood inlays, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: Saint Hripsime Church with its precinct wall and gateway in relief in a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope-and-leaf border; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: fleur-tipped inlaid points and an inlaid oval in each half with ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ lettering, Ararat, pomegranate and grapes; grip slots and corner troughs
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Church and wall together: the gateway and precinct wall sit in front of the church, so the roundel reads as a place, not just a building.
• Armenia named inside: both inlaid ovals carry the country's name in Armenian with Ararat, pomegranate and grapes.
• Chequered reverse: turn it over and a pale-and-dark inlaid panel gives you a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How is this different from the plain Saint Hripsime board? This one shows the church inside its walled precinct with the gateway in front; the other frames the church alone. There is no bag with either: the old copy listed one, but the five photos show the board only, and the checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification. The inlaid Armenia ovals inside were never mentioned before.

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 and inlays 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.