Double-Headed Eagle Russian Backgammon Set with Metal Emblems

Double-Headed Eagle Russian Backgammon Set with Metal Emblems — Handmade in Armenia

Three crowns above two heads, sceptre and orb in the talons — the Russian coat of arms is carved in relief inside the beaded roundel of this Russian backgammon set, with a small cast-metal eagle in a roundel at each end, a fine lattice across the rest of the lid and a cut-out carry handle through the top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Every feather of the carved eagle's spread wings stands clear of the stippled ground, and the two emblems at the ends are dark-toned metal. On the other outer face of the wooden backgammon board the same two emblems flank a chequered panel of pale and dark squares.

Lift the lid and the eagle is there a third time: a light-wood inlay at the centre of each dark half, one for each player, surrounded by light points with arrow tips, rope-carved handle bars and corner dice recesses. The set comes with thirty-two wooden checkers and two dice.

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, cast-metal emblems, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Russian double-headed eagle in a beaded roundel, two cast-metal eagle emblems, lattice ground; chequered panel between the same emblems on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip with a rope-carved bar through the top edge of both halves
• Emblems: two dark-toned cast-metal double-headed eagles on each outer face
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an inlaid double-headed eagle in each half; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle and four metal emblems
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• The eagle in full: crowns, sceptre, orb and shield, carved feather by feather.
• Eagles at the ends: four cast-metal emblems, two on each outer face.
• Inside as well: the eagle inlaid in pale wood on each player's half.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the ornaments filigree? No — the four small emblems are solid cast-metal double-headed eagles with a dark finish, set into carved roundels. The large eagle is carved wood in relief; the eagles and points inside are pale wood set into the dark beech.

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 and lattice with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces and metal emblems 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.