Saint Hripsime Church Armenian Travel Backgammon Set with Handle

Saint Hripsime Church Armenian Travel Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Saint Hripsime Church stands on its paved forecourt at the centre of this Armenian travel backgammon set — dome, drum and arched facade cut in relief on a stippled ground inside a leaf-chain roundel, leaf sprays either side and a grip through the wavy top edge. 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ open, handmade in Armenia.

It is the church that gave Armenian architecture its plan in the seventh century, carved small enough to travel: the paving stones run in perspective up to the door, the windows are cut one by one, and the leaf-chain ring and stippled sky hold the whole scene together. The other face carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and medium squares between two carved leaf brackets.

Inside, an outline map of Armenia with its regions is incised into each half between the drop-shaped points, with shallow rests along the end rails and two plain hinges on the spine; the grip is cut through both halves and two small clasps close the front. 32 wooden checkers and a dice set come with it.

Specifications

• Size open: 40 × 40 cm / 15.7″ × 15.7″
• Size folded: 40 × 20 cm / 15.7″ × 7.9″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: Saint Hripsime Church with dome, drum and arched facade on a paved forecourt, stippled ground, in a leaf-chain roundel; leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border on a wavy-edged lid; inlaid chequered panel between carved leaf brackets on the other face; grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: an incised outline map of Armenia with region borders in each half; incised drop-shaped points with ring tips; shallow checker rests along the end rails
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech travel backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice set

Why You'll Love It

• A church, not a symbol: Saint Hripsime in elevation with its forecourt, small enough to carry by the grip.
• Armenia inside too: an outline map with its regions in each half under the points.
• Travel size: folds to half its length and carries like a small case, with room for a proper game when it opens.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the church carved in relief? Yes — the dome, the walls and the paving stand above the stippled ground, and the close-up photo shows the depth of the facade. The six photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 stippled sky, the facade and the leaf chain with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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