Gyumri Holy Mother of God Backgammon Set with Handle

Gyumri Holy Mother of God Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Belfry at one end, a cluster of domes, a wall of arched windows between: Gyumri's Holy Mother of God cathedral fills this Armenian backgammon set, GYUMRI lettered beneath, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side, rope border, wavy-edged lid. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Underneath there is no cathedral, only squares — pale and dark wood inlaid flush in a grid, a carved leaf-and-grape cartouche at each end and the second grip above.

Inside, an incised map of Armenia with its regions named in Armenian letters sits in each half between rows of drop-shaped points, with troughs along the outer rails and brass-toned hinges; pale and dark wooden checkers, two dice and a dark cloth carrying bag appear in the photos.

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
• Carving: the Holy Mother of God cathedral of Gyumri — belfry, central dome with smaller domes, arched windows — with GYUMRI lettered beneath, 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; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark, grooved faces; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised map of Armenia with region names in Armenian in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges on the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Dark cloth carrying bag with handles

Why You'll Love It

• The long facade: the wider of the two Gyumri church boards — belfry, domes and a run of windows across the roundel.
• Named twice over: GYUMRI is cut under the church, and the map inside carries the region names in Armenian.
• Handle and bag: a grip is cut through each half, and the set comes with a cloth bag for carrying.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How does this differ from the Holy Saviour board? Same format and lettering, different building: this one is long and low with a belfry and a cluster of domes; the Holy Saviour board shows a single tall domed church. Checkers, dice and bag are as photographed.

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 domes, the windows and the cross-hatched ground 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.