{"product_id":"saint-grigor-narekatsi-carved-backgammon-board","title":"Armenian Backgammon Set - Saint Grigor Narekatsi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eArmenian Backgammon Set - Saint Grigor Narekatsi\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA thousand years ago a monk sat in a monastery on the shore of Lake Van and wrote a book of prayers so honest that Armenians have kept a copy in the house ever since — under pillows, beside sickbeds, passed between generations without much explanation. This handmade Armenian backgammon set is carved in tribute to him: his monastery cut in relief inside a deep oval frame at the centre of the lid, with carved scrollwork opening out around it to the border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrigor Narekatsi is the rare saint people speak about softly rather than proudly. His Book of Lamentations is not triumphant; it is a man arguing with himself and hoping to be heard, which is probably why it has lasted. Open the clasps, let the bronze hinges swing back, and the full 23.6\" \/ 60 cm playing field is underneath — and nardi, at its best, is also two people talking honestly for hours while pretending to concentrate on something else. Carry this hand-carved wooden backgammon board in by its cut-out handle and set it down where the conversation is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackgammon board with bronze hinges, clasps and a cut-out carry handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e32 checkers made from beech and walnut wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA pair of dice and a carrying bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFolded: 30 x 60 cm \/ 11.8 x 23.6\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen playing field: 60 x 60 cm \/ 23.6 x 23.6\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 5 kg \/ 11 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWood: solid beech, with bronze hinges and clasps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandmade in Armenia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy It Stands Out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarved in tribute to Grigor Narekatsi, the 10th-century monk and poet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHis monastery cut by hand in relief inside a deep oval frame, scrollwork to the border\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFolds shut on bronze hinges and travels by its own cut-out carry handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA handmade Armenian backgammon board with one of the country's quietest, best-loved names on it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Gift With Something Behind It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the household where the Narek still sits on a shelf, and for the one that has only heard of it. This is a gentle board rather than a grand one — which is very much in keeping with the man it is named for.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CanarianCanary","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53098192896320,"sku":"103849","price":249.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/5551\/9552\/files\/1745996130328.jpg?v=1788438519","url":"https:\/\/canariancanary.com\/products\/saint-grigor-narekatsi-carved-backgammon-board","provider":"CanarianCanary","version":"1.0","type":"link"}