Tigran the Great with Grapes Backgammon Set with Handle

Tigran the Great with Grapes Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Grapes hang at one shoulder and a pomegranate at the other as King Tigran the Great looks out in profile from the scroll cartouche of this Armenian backgammon set, his tall tiara carved with its star and birds and an eagle spread across his chest, all on a cross-hatched ground. A cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn the board and the vine comes back as a single leaf carved in a scroll cartouche at each end, with a chequered panel of pale and dark squares inlaid flush between them.

Inside, the halves are inlaid in pale wood with fleur-tipped points and a map of Greater Armenia — ՄԵԾ ՀԱՅՔ — with its provinces lettered in Armenian, one map facing each player; side grips, corner dice recesses and brass-toned hinges. Thirty-two beech and walnut checkers and dice are 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 pale wood inlays and brass-toned hinges
• Carving: Tigran the Great in profile with tiara and eagle breastplate in a scroll cartouche, grapes to the left and a pomegranate to the right; vine-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid map of Greater Armenia (ՄԵԾ ՀԱՅՔ) with lettered provinces in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• 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, beech and walnut
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Eagle on the chest: the king's breastplate carries a spread eagle, cut feather by feather below the tiara.
• Fruit of the land: a bunch of grapes and a split pomegranate share the lid with him, one at each side.
• Greater Armenia inside: the map is inlaid in pale wood in each half, provinces lettered, facing its player.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the king seated on a throne? No — the old listing called him enthroned, but the carving is a profile bust with no throne, and the frame holds a single bunch of grapes and a pomegranate rather than trailing vines. The old copy also listed a carrying bag that is not photographed, so it is not included here.

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 with the checkers inside.

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