Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Travel Backgammon Set with Handle

Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Travel Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

The Mother Cathedral of Etchmiadzin fills the leaf-chain oval of this Armenian travel backgammon set — central dome, corner belfries and block walls cut in relief on a stippled ground above a paved forecourt, leaf sprays either side and a grip through the wavy top edge. 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Every course of masonry is scored into the walls, the paving runs in perspective up to the door, and the oval sits inside a second leaf-chain oval with stippled corners, so the closed board reads as one ornament from across the room. The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and medium squares between two carved leaf brackets.

Open it and an outline map of Armenia with its regions is incised into each half between the drop-shaped points, with shallow rests along the end rails, two plain hinges on the spine and the grip cut through both halves. 32 wooden checkers and a dice set come with the board, and two small clasps close the front.

Specifications

• Size open: 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″
• Size folded: 40 × 20 cm / 15.7″ × 7.9″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: Etchmiadzin Cathedral with central dome, corner belfries and block walls on a paved forecourt, stippled ground, in a leaf-chain oval; leaf sprays either side, outer leaf-chain oval with stippled corners on a wavy-edged lid; inlaid chequered panel between carved leaf brackets on the other face; grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: an incised outline map of Armenia with region borders in each half; incised drop-shaped points with ring tips; shallow checker rests along the end rails
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech travel backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice set

Why You'll Love It

• The Mother See on the lid: Etchmiadzin, the cathedral every Armenian church answers to, carved with its dome, belfries and masonry.
• Armenia inside too: an outline map with its regions in each half under the points.
• Travel size: folds to half its length and carries by the grip, with a full game inside when it opens.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the cathedral carved in relief? Yes — dome, belfries and walls stand above the stippled ground with the masonry scored into them; the close-up photo shows the depth. The four photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set 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 stippled sky, the masonry and the leaf chain 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.