Landmarks of Artsakh Backgammon Set with Handle

Landmarks of Artsakh Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Two roundels share the lid of this Armenian backgammon set: the We Are Our Mountains elders over the word ԱՐՑԱԽ on one side, Ghazanchetsots Cathedral over its name on the other, a carved leaf knot between them, a rope border round the lid. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm, handmade in Armenia.

The carving is all in one dark tone, the scenes raised on a fine cross-hatched ground, and the reverse of the carved backgammon set is finished with an inlaid chequered panel between two leaf-scroll cartouches.

Open, the halves carry inlaid maps of Artsakh and of the Republic of Armenia, each with its regions named, between inlaid fleur-tipped points, with side grips, corner dice recesses and brass-toned hinges. The pale and dark checkers, two dice and the carrying bag are photographed.

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 We Are Our Mountains monument (Tatik and Papik) over ԱՐՑԱԽ in one roundel, Ghazanchetsots Cathedral over ՂԱԶԱՆՉԵՑՈՑ in the other, both on cross-hatched grounds with rope rims, a leaf knot between them and a rope border; leaf-scroll cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips, an inlaid map of Artsakh in one half and of the Republic of Armenia in the other, regions named; 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, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Two landmarks, named: the monument and the cathedral each carry their Armenian name carved beneath them.
• Maps inside: Artsakh faces one player and the Republic of Armenia the other, both inlaid with regions named.
• Bag in the photos: the carrying bag is photographed with the board and ships with it.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which church is it? The old listing said 'a historic church'; the lettering under it reads ՂԱԶԱՆՉԵՑՈՑ — Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi, with its cone-roofed drum and bell tower. There is no pale-wood inlay on the lid; the contrast is all relief on a cross-hatched ground. The maps inlaid 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 away from direct sun and radiators; store it closed with the checkers inside, in the bag.

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