Russian Double-Headed Eagle Backgammon Set with Bronze Handles

Russian Double-Headed Eagle Backgammon Set with Bronze Handles — Handmade in Armenia

The double-headed eagle of Russia spreads its wings in deep relief inside a rope-ringed roundel on this Russian backgammon set, crowned, with sceptre and orb and the rider on its breast, a small bronze eagle disc on either flank and the rest of the dark lid cut into diamond lattice. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

An ornate cast bronze handle is fitted to each half of the wooden backgammon board, meeting at the top edge when it is shut, and the other outer face carries a chequered panel of pale and dark squares between the same two eagle discs. Inside, the dark-stained field is inlaid with points in two pale tones and a pale double-headed eagle in each half, with carved scalloped rails and a long recess in each corner for the dice.

You get the board with its two handles, a set of wooden checkers in dark and pale, and a pair of dice; the case shuts on brass hinges with a clasp at each side.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood in a dark stained finish, with pale inlaid points inside; cast bronze handles, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: double-headed eagle roundel, two bronze eagle discs and diamond-lattice ground on the lid; chequered panel with the same discs on the other face; pale inlaid points and eagles inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handles: two ornate cast bronze bails, one on each half
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding backgammon board with two bronze handles
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• The eagle in relief: crown, sceptre, orb and rider cut deep into the dark lid.
• Bronze flanks: a filigree eagle disc either side of the roundel, and eagles inlaid inside.
• Handles as ornament: cast bronze scrollwork bails, one on each half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the eagle carved? Carved, yes — feather by feather, in relief over a pierced ground, with a stitched ring round the roundel and the diamond lattice cut into the rest of the lid line by line. The flanking eagle discs are bronze filigree inlays, and the eagles and points inside are pale wood set into the dark field rather than painted on.

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? Dust the relief and lattice with a soft brush and wipe the flat wood 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.