Ararat, Tigran the Great and Coat of Arms Armenian Backgammon Set

Ararat, Tigran the Great and Coat of Arms Armenian Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

Three frames across the lid of this Armenian backgammon set: Ararat in the central roundel, its two summits cut in pale wood above poplars and rolling fields; King Tigran the Great in profile in his tiara in the oval on the left; the Armenian coat of arms in the oval on the right. Leaf scrolls join the frames over a stippled ground, a diamond lattice fills the corners and a cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Closed the other way, the wooden backgammon board is quieter: a chequered panel down the middle, a small bloom carved in each pale square, and leaf scrolls filling the panels at either end.

Under the checkers lie two maps. Historic Armenia is inlaid in pale wood in one half and the Republic with Artsakh in the other, every province lettered in Armenian, with arrow-tipped points in the same pale wood on both sides. Grips are cut into the rails and each corner holds a dice recess. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice come with the set.

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 with pale-wood peaks in a central roundel between Tigran the Great in profile and the Armenian coat of arms in ovals, leaf scrolls, lattice corners; chequered panel with flower squares between scrolls 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 two inlaid maps of Armenia lettered in Armenian; 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

• Mountain, king and arms: the three symbols of Armenia in three carved frames on one lid.
• Snow in pale wood: both peaks of Ararat are a lighter inlay that lifts off the dark stained scene.
• Maps under the checkers: historic Armenia and today's Republic inlaid inside, every province named.

Good to Know Before You Buy

What are the two side scenes? Not landscapes — the old listing called them scenes of the Armenian land, but the left oval is a profile of Tigran the Great in his tiara and the right oval is the Armenian coat of arms with its eagle and lion. Only the centre roundel is a landscape. The maps and points 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.