Ararat and Grapes Backgammon Set with Handle

Ararat and Grapes Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Both peaks of Ararat wear pale-wood snow on this Armenian backgammon set, a tall poplar rising between them inside a lobed cartouche, while a heavy grape bunch hangs from a band of vine leaves and tendrils below, all set on a basket-weave lattice ground. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse of the carved backgammon set is carved rather than plain: a chequered panel whose pale squares each carry a small four-petal flower, flanked by two leaf-scroll cartouches.

Open, each half carries an inlaid map of Armenia with its regions named, between fleur-tipped inlaid points, with side grips, corner dice recesses, a stamped border along each end and brass-toned hinges.

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 snow caps and inlays, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the two peaks of Ararat with pale-wood snow caps and a poplar between them in a lobed cartouche, a grape bunch on a vine band with leaves and tendrils, basket-weave lattice ground and a small-flower border; a carved chequered panel with four-petal flowers between leaf-scroll cartouches on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: inlaid points with fleur tips and an inlaid map of Armenia with regions named 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
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Snow in pale wood: only the two summits are left untinted, so the mountain reads at a glance.
• Textured all over: lattice ground, flower border and a carved rather than flat chequered back.
• Armenia inside: a map with every region named is inlaid in each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

What do the photos leave out? The checkers, dice and bag: the six photos show the board alone. Checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification; the carrying bag in the old copy is not photographed and is not included. The old copy also never mentioned the poplar between the peaks, the lattice ground or the inlaid maps inside.

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 relief and lattice with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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