Garni Temple Steps Backgammon Set with Handle

Garni Temple Steps Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Seen from the corner so the long side shows, the Temple of Garni climbs its tall flight of steps on this Armenian backgammon set — pediment, columns and paved court carved on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel with leaf scrolls and an oval grip through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Flip it and the back is the squared face — two tones of wood set in as a chequered panel, a bunch of stippled grapes with curling leaves carved on each side, the grip above and a pair of small brass-toned clasps.

Inside, an outline map of Armenia with its regions is incised into each half between rows of drop-shaped points, on plain dark-stained wood with scalloped bar edges, troughs along the rails and corners and two plain 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, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: Temple of Garni in three-quarter view with colonnade, pediment and tall steps on a paved court, 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; 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 outline map of Armenia with regions in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• 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 backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Three-quarter view: the temple is carved from the corner, so the side colonnade runs back into the roundel instead of showing a flat front.
• Armenia inside: an outline map with its regions is incised into each half of the playing side.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How does this Garni differ from the others? This one is carved in three-quarter view with the full flight of steps, in a round rope-rimmed roundel between leaf scrolls, with a map of Armenia inside. 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 columns, the steps and the cross-hatched 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.