David of Sasun Backgammon Set with Handle

David of Sasun Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

David of Sasun rides across the roundel of this Armenian backgammon set in the pose of the Yerevan monument — horse rearing, sword swung back — carved on a rayed stippled ground inside a rope rim, with leaf scrolls, a rope border and an oval grip cut through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The chequered face is on the reverse: an inlaid panel of pale and darker squares between two carved cartouches of stippled grapes and curling leaves, with the grip cut beneath it and two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge.

Inside, each half carries an incised map of the Republic of Armenia with its provinces outlined and named in Armenian letters, set between rows of incised drop-shaped points, with scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs and two ornamental brass-toned hinges on the spine.

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 and clasps
• Carving: David of Sasun on a rearing horse with sword raised, in relief on a rayed stippled ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised province map of Armenia with Armenian lettering in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two ornamental brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• The monument pose: horse up on its hind legs, sword thrown back — the silhouette every Armenian knows from Yerevan station.
• Armenia inside: the country's provinces are cut into each half of the playing side with their names in Armenian.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the map labelled? Yes — the provinces of the Republic of Armenia are outlined and named in Armenian script in each half of the playing side. The five photos show the board alone; checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 rider, the scrolls and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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