Emblem of Armenia Backgammon Set with Handle

Emblem of Armenia Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Eagle and lion brace the quartered shield of Armenia, Ararat and the Ark at its centre, inside a rope-rimmed oval on this Armenian backgammon set, with leaf scrolls curling out across a cross-hatched ground to a rope border, all carved in one tone. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm, handmade in Armenia.

Even face down it has something to show: a panel of pale and dark squares let into the reverse, with a leaf-scroll cartouche carved on either side of it.

Lift the lid and both halves show the coat of arms again, this time flat in pale inlay with the fleur-tipped points ranged above and below it; the rails carry side grips, the corners hold dice recesses and the hinges are brass-toned.

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 pale inlays inside, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the coat of arms of Armenia, eagle and lion supporting the quartered shield with Ararat and the Ark, in a rope-rimmed oval on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border; leaf-scroll 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: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid coat of arms of Armenia in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• 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

• The arms in relief: eagle, lion, shield, mountain and ark all cut into one oval, nothing else on the lid.
• And inlaid inside: the same coat of arms faces each player in pale wood.
• Two handles: a cut-out grip in each half, so the closed board lifts by either edge.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is a bag included? Not with this one. The earlier listing counted a carrying bag, but none appears in the five photos, which show only the board, so it is not part of the set. Checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification for the same reason. The inlaid arms 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 relief with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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