Sameba Cathedral Backgammon Set with Handle

Sameba Cathedral Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Tier upon tier, Tbilisi's Sameba Cathedral rises in pale wood to its tall spire at the centre of this Georgian backgammon set, set against a cross-hatched ground inside a cartouche of curling leaves, with a bunch of grapes in the top-left corner and a split pomegranate in the top-right. A cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Closed the other way up, the carved backgammon set shows a chequered panel of pale and dark squares with a vine leaf carved in a scroll cartouche at either end.

Inside, the coat of arms of Georgia is inlaid in pale wood in one half and the map of Georgia in the other, between fleur-tipped inlaid points, with side grips, corner dice recesses and brass-toned hinges. The set is photographed with its 32 pale and dark wooden checkers, two dice and a dark cloth carrying bag, all included.

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 cathedral and pale inlays, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: Sameba Cathedral in pale wood on a cross-hatched ground in a leaf-scroll cartouche, grapes and a pomegranate at the corners; vine-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips, the inlaid coat of arms of Georgia in one half and an inlaid map of Georgia in the other; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Bag: dark cloth carrying bag
• 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, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Dark cloth carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Pale stone, dark ground: the cathedral is cut in lighter wood, so its arches and spire stand out from the cross-hatch.
• Grapes and pomegranate: one fruit at each top corner of the lid, not a full wreath of vines.
• Georgia inside: the arms in one half, the map in the other, both inlaid in pale wood.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the cathedral wreathed in grapevines? Not all round — the old listing described a full wreath, but the frame is a leaf-scroll cartouche with a single bunch of grapes at one corner and a pomegranate at the other, and vine leaves on the back. The bag, checkers and dice are all photographed with this set.

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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed in its bag with the checkers inside.

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