Saint Hripsime Church Backgammon Set with Handle

Saint Hripsime Church Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

An oval grip is cut clean through both halves of this Armenian backgammon set, so it carries like a case: Saint Hripsime Church — belfry, drum and dome — stands in a rope-rimmed roundel on a stippled ground, with leaf scrolls and a rope border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse face is a chequered panel inlaid flush in pale and darker squares, flanked by two carved cartouches of stippled grape clusters and curling leaves, with the grip cut below it and two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge.

Open it and the playing side is plain stained beech with the points incised rather than inlaid; between them, an outline map of Armenia with its regions is cut into each half. The bar edges are scalloped, troughs run along the rails and into the corners, and two brass-toned hinges join the spine.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: Saint Hripsime Church with its rotunda belfry, drum and dome on a paved court, in relief on a stippled ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised outline map of Armenia with regions in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves, so the clasped board lifts as one piece.
• The belfry names the church: Hripsime's little rotunda over the west door is carved beside the drum and dome.
• Armenia inside: an outline map with its regions is incised into each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the handle strong enough to carry it by? The grip is cut through the full thickness of both halves, so with the clasps closed you lift the whole board, not a lid. The five photos show the board alone; checkers and dice 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? Dust the church, the scrolls and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush; wipe the flat faces and the inlaid panel with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and close the clasps before you carry it by the grip.

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