{"product_id":"holy-mother-of-god-cathedral-carved-backgammon-board","title":"Armenian Backgammon Set - Holy Mother of God of Gyumri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eArmenian Backgammon Set - Holy Mother of God of Gyumri\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGyumri is the city Armenians go to for craftsmen and for jokes, usually in that order, and it is entirely fitting that a hand-carved board should carry one of its churches. Surb Astvatsatsin — the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God — stands on the main square with its dark tuff and its clustered domes, and here it is cut in relief inside a deep oval frame at the centre of this handmade Armenian backgammon set, with carved scrollwork around it and a braided border running the whole way round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe braid is worth noticing: a continuous plait, every crossing matched, all the way around the lid — the kind of patient work Gyumri built its reputation on. Open the clasps, let the bronze hinges swing back, and the full 23.6\" \/ 60 cm playing field appears underneath. Gyumri also built its reputation on long evenings and quick remarks, so the board is on solid ground there too. Carry it in by the cut-out handle and set it down where the talking is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackgammon board with bronze hinges, clasps and a cut-out carry handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e32 checkers made from beech and walnut wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA pair of dice and a carrying bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFolded: 30 x 60 cm \/ 11.8 x 23.6\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen playing field: 60 x 60 cm \/ 23.6 x 23.6\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 5 kg \/ 11 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWood: solid beech, with bronze hinges and clasps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade in Armenia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy It Stands Out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God of Gyumri carved by hand inside a deep oval frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA braided border plaited right around the lid, every crossing matched\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFolds shut on bronze hinges and travels by its own cut-out carry handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA handmade Armenian backgammon board from the city that made craftsmanship its name\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Gift From Gyumri\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone with roots in the second city, or for the friend who came back from there talking about the stone. It is a serious carving with a very unserious purpose, which is about as Gyumri as an object can get.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CanarianCanary","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53098191618368,"sku":"101833-2","price":249.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/5551\/9552\/files\/1756723109362.jpg?v=1788438488","url":"https:\/\/canariancanary.com\/products\/holy-mother-of-god-cathedral-carved-backgammon-board","provider":"CanarianCanary","version":"1.0","type":"link"}