Mount Ararat Travel Chess and Backgammon Set with Metal Warriors — Handmade in Armenia
Two armies of small cast-metal warriors — spearmen, crowned kings, mitred bishops — stand on this travel chess and backgammon set, a walnut board with Mount Ararat carved in relief above a carry handle at each end and grapes in the corners. 11.8 × 11.8 in (30 × 30 cm) open, handmade in Armenia, with checkers, dice and a bag.
This is the wooden chess set that carries the mountain and an army in one hand. The twin peaks rise under a line of cloud at each end, their snow picked out in pale wood, with a grape bunch, a vine leaf and a pomegranate carved into the corners on a stippled ground; the edge waves in scallops and the coordinates sit on brass discs. The figures are cast full-length in metal, one side gold-toned and the other darkened, on round cast bases.
Under the lid the second game is laid out in line work — points running to a sun wheel in each half — with the checkers and dice ready in the troughs, and the handles come through the end rails as lifting slots. Closed, it is a small carved case for a bag.
Specifications
- Size: 11.8 × 11.8 in (30 × 30 cm)
- Material: walnut wood in a warm brown finish, with inlaid pale and brown squares and brass coordinate discs
- Carving: Mount Ararat in relief above the handle at each end, grape bunch, vine leaf and pomegranate at the corners, stippled ground, waved edge, cut-out handle at each end; line-work points and a sun wheel in each half inside
- Pieces: 32 cast-metal figural chess pieces on round bases, 16 gold-toned and 16 darkened; 32 wooden backgammon checkers; pair of dice
- Folded: 5.9 × 11.8 in (15 × 30 cm)
- Carry handle: cut through each end, with lifting slots in the end rails inside
- Hardware: bronze hinges and clasps
- Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia
What's Included
- Folding carved walnut board — chess outside, backgammon inside
- 32 cast-metal figural chess pieces, 16 gold-toned and 16 darkened
- 32 wooden backgammon checkers and a pair of dice
- Carrying bag
Why You'll Love It
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An army of figures at travel size: spearmen, kings and bishops cast full-length in metal, gold against dark.
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Ararat at both ends: the peaks carved in relief above each handle, so neither player sits with their back to it.
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Two games, one grip: chess on the lid, nardi with checkers and dice inside, a handle at each end.
Good to Know Before You Buy
Is the carving real? The figures are cast metal, gold-toned on one side and darkened on the other, on round bases — cool and dense in the hand. The mountains, fruit and leaves are carved in relief on a hand-stippled ground, the handles are cut through the frame, the coordinates are brass discs, and the points and sun wheels inside are cut in line work. Nothing is printed.
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? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed.
Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.
