Ararat Harvest Armenian Backgammon Set with Handle

Ararat Harvest Armenian Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Both peaks of Ararat rise in pale wood above a walled monastery on this Armenian backgammon set, the fields below cut as rippling lines and the scene held in a rope-bordered frame over a stippled ground. Around it the harvest: grapevines with leaves and heavy clusters, pomegranates on the right, and a cut-out carry handle through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The other face of the wooden backgammon board keeps the vines — a grape cluster and leaves on one side, a pomegranate branch on the other — around a chequered panel inlaid in pale and dark squares.

Inside, each half carries an oval inlaid in pale wood with ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ, Ararat, a pomegranate and a bunch of grapes, turned to face its player, between pale inlaid points with arrow tips; grips are cut into the side rails with a dice recess at each corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of 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 stained with pale wood inlays, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Ararat in pale wood above a walled monastery in a rope-bordered frame, grapevines with clusters and pomegranates; inlaid chequered panel between vines 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 arrow tips and an inlaid oval with ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ, Ararat, grapes and a pomegranate in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side 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

• Snow in a lighter wood: the two summits are cut in pale timber, so the mountain stands out from the dark plain.
• Fruit on every side: grape clusters and pomegranates hang round the scene and again on the chequered face.
• Armenia named inside: ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ inlaid with Ararat, grapes and a pomegranate in each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which monastery is under the mountain? It is not lettered — a walled monastery with a bell tower at the foot of Ararat, in the position Khor Virap occupies, so we describe it rather than name it. The scene is relief over stippling; the peaks and the ovals inside are pale wood inlays.

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.