Tatik and Papik Artsakh Backgammon Set with Handle

Tatik and Papik Artsakh Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Two heads rise from the rock — grandmother in her headscarf, grandfather beside her — on this Armenian backgammon set, the We Are Our Mountains monument in relief, ԱՐՑԱԽ lettered beneath, on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side, rope border, wavy-edged lid. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse is plainer: a flush chequered inlay of light and dark squares, a leaf-and-grape cartouche at each end, the grip repeated above.

Inside, the two faces come back in line work — an incised outline of the monument in each half between the drop-shaped points — with a checker trough along each outer rail beside the grip and brass-toned hinges on the spine. The photos show pale and dark wooden checkers and two dice on the board.

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 inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the Tatik and Papik monument of Artsakh — two heads rising from the rock — with ԱՐՑԱԽ lettered beneath, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark, grooved faces; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised outline of the monument in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges with an ornate one at the centre of the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Named on the lid: ԱՐՑԱԽ is cut under the two heads, so the board says where the monument stands.
• Inside as well as out: the same two faces are drawn in incised line in each half of the playing side.
• Carried by its edge: a grip is cut through each half, so the closed board lifts without a strap.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the elders carved with bodies? No — as at the monument itself, only the two heads rise from the rock. Checkers and dice are as photographed; the bag in the old copy is not in the photos and is not listed here.

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 faces, the lettering and the cross-hatched ground 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.