Four Scenes of Armenia Carved Backgammon Set in Walnut with Handle

Four Scenes of Armenia Carved Backgammon Set in Walnut with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Tigran the Great in his eagle tiara and the temple of Garni, lettered ԳԱՔՆԻ, share one face of this carved Armenian backgammon set; Etchmiadzin cathedral, lettered ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ, and the Armenian coat of arms share the other, with a split pomegranate and a bunch of grapes carved between each pair. Walnut, 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

A vine with carved leaves frames both faces of the wooden backgammon board over a stippled ground, and a cut-out carry handle sits in the top edge. Inside, the walnut field carries incised lattice points and a map in each half, the Republic of Armenia with its regions in one and the historic Armenian lands in the other, every name lettered in Armenian, with carved scalloped rails and a long recess in each corner for the dice.

Checkers in dark and pale wood and a pair of dice are packed with it; brass hinges and two side clasps keep the lid down on the shelf.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Tigran the Great and Garni temple with ԳԱՔՆԻ lettering on one face, Etchmiadzin with ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ lettering and the Armenian coat of arms on the other, pomegranates, grapes and vine frames; incised points and two Armenian maps inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip in the top edge
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• Four scenes: a king, a temple, a cathedral and the coat of arms, two to each face.
• Fruit between them: pomegranate and grapes carved almost in the round.
• Maps inside: Armenia twice over, regions named in Armenian script.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes — the king's profile, the temple columns, the cathedral domes and the arms all stand in relief over a stippled ground, the lettering is cut into the wood and the fruit is carved nearly in the round. The maps and points inside are incised lines in the walnut, not print.

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? Dust the relief with a soft brush and wipe the flat walnut 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.