David of Sasun on Horseback Armenian Backgammon Set

David of Sasun on Horseback Armenian Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

Sword raised and horse rearing, David of Sasun rides across the oval at the centre of this Armenian backgammon set, the scene cut in relief over a stippled ground in the pose of the hero's famous statue. Grapevines with leaves, heavy clusters and pomegranates fill the lid around the oval, and a cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse of the wooden backgammon board holds a chequered panel inlaid in pale and dark squares between two carved panels of fan-shaped scrolls over a honeycomb ground.

Open, each half carries a pale-wood map of Armenia — the historic land in one, the Republic with Artsakh in the other, provinces lettered in Armenian — between pale inlaid points with arrow tips, with grips cut into the side rails and a dice recess at each corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice are included.

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, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: David of Sasun on a rearing horse in an oval, grapevines with clusters and pomegranates; inlaid chequered panel between fan-scroll panels on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and two inlaid maps of Armenia lettered in Armenian; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• The statue pose: horse up on its hind legs, sword over the rider's head — the David of Sasun everyone knows.
• Fruit round the hero: grape clusters and pomegranates hang among the vine leaves on every side.
• Armenia under the checkers: two inlaid maps, historic and modern, one facing each player.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the hero named on the board? No lettering — the rearing horse and raised sword follow the David of Sasun monument in Yerevan, which is how the board gets its name. The scene is relief carving over stippling; the maps and points inside are pale 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 with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces 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.