Armenian Coat of Arms Backgammon Set with Metal Emblems and Handle

Armenian Coat of Arms Backgammon Set with Metal Emblems and Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Eagle and lion rear up either side of the Ararat shield in the carved oval at the centre of this Armenian backgammon set, with a small cast-metal coat of arms set into a roundel at each end, a fine lattice cut across the rest of the dark lid and a cut-out carry handle through the top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The wings, manes and the sword, quill, wheat and chain below the shield are all cut in relief over a stippled ground; the two metal emblems are silver-toned. On the other outer face of the wooden backgammon board the same two emblems flank a chequered panel of pale and dark squares.

The playing halves are dark stained too; each carries the national arms again as a light-wood inlay at its centre, with light points and arrow tips inlaid around it, rope-carved bars in the handle cut-outs and dice recesses at the corners. The set includes thirty-two wooden checkers and two dice.

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: coat of arms of Armenia in an oval, two cast-metal coat-of-arms emblems, lattice ground; chequered panel between the same emblems on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip with a rope-carved bar through the top edge of both halves
• Emblems: two silver-toned cast-metal Armenian coat-of-arms emblems on each outer face
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an inlaid coat of arms in each half; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle and four metal emblems
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Arms in wood, metal and inlay: carved on the lid, cast at the ends, set into each half inside.
• Nothing missing from the emblem: eagle, lion, shield, sword, quill, wheat and chain are all there.
• Dark lattice ground: the mesh cut across the whole lid makes the carving stand out.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the small emblems filigree? No — they are solid cast-metal coats of arms, silver in colour, two on each outer face; there is no open filigree on this board. The large arms in the oval are carved wood, and the arms inside are light wood set into the dark beech.

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 and lattice with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces and metal emblems 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.