Geghard Monastery Armenian Backgammon Set in Walnut with Handle

Geghard Monastery Armenian Backgammon Set in Walnut with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Geghard's umbrella-domed church rises against the cliff face of its gorge in the oval on this carved walnut Armenian backgammon set, its name cut below in Armenian letters, with grape bunches, vine leaves and pears carved round the frame and a cut-out carry handle through the top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Every block of the church walls is cut separately, the drum of the dome carries its ring of arches and the rock behind is worked in rough strokes over a stippled sky. The other outer face of the wooden backgammon board is a chequered panel between a grape bunch and a pear branch.

Inside, each half carries an incised roundel with Ararat, a pomegranate, grapes and the word Հայաստան in a scrolled ring, beside incised points with arrow tips, a rope-carved handle bar at each side and corner dice recesses. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers, a pair of dice and a carrying bag come with it.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, natural finish, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Geghard Monastery with Armenian lettering and cliffs in an oval, grapes, vine leaves and pears round the frame; chequered panel between grape and pear panels on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip with a rope-carved bar through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised points with arrow tips and an Armenia roundel with Ararat, pomegranate and grapes in each half; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• Lettered, not guessed: Գեղարդ is cut under the church, so the monastery names itself.
• The cliff: Geghard's rock face carved behind the dome, as it stands in the gorge.
• Armenia inside too: Ararat, pomegranate and grapes in a roundel on each half of the board.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which monastery is this? Geghard, east of Yerevan — the Armenian lettering under the church says so, and the rock wall behind the dome is the gorge it is cut into. The building, cliffs and fruit are carved in relief over a stippled ground; the roundels and points inside are incised lines in the walnut.

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 relief with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat walnut with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and carry it in its bag with the checkers inside.

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