Saint George and the Dragon Georgian Backgammon Set with Handle

Saint George and the Dragon Georgian Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Saint George rides down the dragon in the rope-bordered roundel of this Georgian backgammon set — horse rearing, cloak flying, spear driven into the coiled beast beneath the hooves — carved in relief over a stippled ground, with lobed panels either side and a diamond lattice covering the rest of the lid. 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.

With the saint face down, the wooden backgammon board shows a quieter side: pale and dark squares inlaid down the middle, a whorl carved in the lobed panel at each end, lattice between.

Open the board and the decoration is inlay rather than carving — arrow-tipped points and an interlaced roundel in pale wood in each half, grips let into the side rails and a dice recess in every corner. 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, mid-brown stain with pale wood inlays, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Saint George on a rearing horse spearing the dragon in a rope-bordered roundel, lobed panels and diamond lattice; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs 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 interlaced pale-wood roundel 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

• The whole story in a circle: rider, horse, spear and dragon fit inside one roundel and still read from across the table.
• Depth in the horse: the rearing forelegs and the flying cloak stand highest, the dragon coils low beneath.
• Inlay inside: arrow-tipped points and an interlaced roundel in each half, pale wood in dark beech.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the dragon visible? Yes — it coils under the horse with its head turned up towards the spear, wings folded along its back. The old listing said 'lance down'; the spear runs from the saint's hand down into the dragon's jaws. Relief carving throughout; the points and roundels 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.