Geghard Monastery Backgammon Set with Handle

Geghard Monastery Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Geghard Monastery is carved in relief in the rope-rimmed roundel of this Armenian backgammon set — the domed church rising behind a tall wall of dressed stone, a doorway cut into it and paving in front — with leaf scrolls either side on a stippled ground and a rope-and-leaf border. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Closed and flipped, the reverse offers draughts or checkers: a chequered panel inlaid in pale and dark squares between two leaf-and-grape cartouches, the second handle cut through the top edge.

Inside, the work is incised rather than inlaid — outline points with drop tips and an outline map of Armenia with its regions cut into each half — with grip slots in the rails, corner troughs and brass-toned hinges. The five photos show the board alone.

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 a pale wood chequered inlay, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: Geghard Monastery in relief in a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls on a stippled ground and a rope-and-leaf border; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised drop-tipped points and an incised outline map of Armenia with its regions in each half; grip slots and corner troughs
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Stone in wood: the monastery's dressed-stone wall and dome are cut course by course inside the roundel.
• Armenia inside: an outline map of the country with its regions is cut into each half of the playing side.
• Chequered reverse: turn it over and a pale-and-dark inlaid panel gives you a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the wall part of the monastery? Yes — Geghard is built into the cliff, and the carving shows the church dome rising behind a tall dressed-stone wall with a doorway, the way the complex reads from its forecourt. No bag ships with the board: the old copy listed one, but the five photos show the board only, and the checkers and dice come from the maker's specification.

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 stonework and the scrolls with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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