Haghartsin Monastery Armenian Backgammon Set in Walnut with Handle

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

Haghartsin's domed church and stone buildings stand inside an oval on the lid of this carved walnut Armenian backgammon set, the monastery's name cut below in Armenian letters and wooded hills behind, with grapes, vine leaves and pears round the frame and a cut-out carry handle through the top. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The stonework of the buildings is cut block by block and the hills behind them in long strokes over a stippled ground. On the other outer face of the wooden backgammon board a chequered panel sits between a grape bunch and a pear branch, each in its own panel.

Inside, two incised maps face each other — the historic provinces of Armenia on one half, the regions of today's republic on the other, every name lettered in Armenian — with incised points, a rope-carved handle bar at each side and dice recesses in the corners. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers, a pair of dice and a carrying bag are supplied.

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: Haghartsin Monastery with Armenian lettering and hills 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 two lettered maps of Armenia, historic and present-day; 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

• The name is on it: ՀԱՂԱՐԾԻՆ cut into the walnut under the church, so there is no guessing.
• Two maps inside: old Armenia on one half, the present republic on the other.
• Fruit in the round: grape bunches and pears carved almost free of the surface.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the monastery named on the board? Yes — the Armenian lettering below the church reads Haghartsin, the monastery in the forest above Dilijan. The buildings, hills and fruit are cut in relief over a stippled ground; the maps 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.