Great Seal Eagle American Backgammon Set, 3 Sizes

Great Seal Eagle American Backgammon Set, 3 Sizes — Handmade in Armenia

The Great Seal of the United States is carved in relief in the roundel of this American backgammon set — the eagle with the striped shield on its breast, olive branch and arrows in its talons, E PLURIBUS UNUM on the ribbon in its beak and the ring of stars above — over a stippled ground with a diamond lattice covering the lid around it. A smaller Great Seal eagle in brass sits in a recessed roundel at each end and a cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. Three sizes: 40, 50 or 60 cm square (15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″), handmade in Armenia.

The second outer face of the wooden backgammon board is a chequered panel inlaid in pale and dark squares with the two brass eagles either side of it, inside the lattice.

Inside, the Great Seal eagle is inlaid in pale wood at the centre of each half, its shield, branch and arrows all cut in the inlay, between pale inlaid points with arrow tips; the rails hold the checkers when the board is closed. Thirty-two turned wooden checkers, pale and dark, and a pair of dice are included.

Specifications

• Size: three sizes — 40 × 40 cm, 50 × 50 cm or 60 × 60 cm (15.7″, 19.6″ or 23.6″ square) — choose above
• Size folded: 40 × 20 cm, 50 × 25 cm or 60 × 30 cm (15.7″ × 7.9″, 19.6″ × 9.8″ or 23.6″ × 11.8″)
• Material: beech wood, mid-brown stain with pale wood inlays, brass emblems, brass clasps
• Carving: Great Seal eagle with shield, olive branch, arrows, ribbon and stars in a rope-bordered roundel, two brass eagle emblems on a diamond lattice ground; inlaid chequered panel between two brass eagles on the other face
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; dice
• Emblems: four brass Great Seal eagles, two on each outer face
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an inlaid Great Seal eagle in each half
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle and four brass emblems
• 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• The seal, lettered: E PLURIBUS UNUM is cut into the ribbon, with the stars, shield, branch and arrows all in place.
• Eagles in brass and inlay: four cast brass eagles on the outside, two pale-wood eagles inlaid inside.
• Three sizes: 40 cm for travel, 50 for the shelf, 60 for the table — choose above.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the metal details bronze? Brass — yellow metal castings of the Great Seal eagle set into recessed roundels, two on each outer face. The old listing called them bronze. The large seal is carved beech; the seals inside are pale wood inlay. The photos show the 60 cm board.

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 surfaces 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.