Sanahin Monastery Backgammon Set with Handle

Sanahin Monastery Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Sanahin's domed churches and belfry stand on a stippled ground inside a rope-rimmed lobed cartouche on this Armenian backgammon set, the name ՍԱՆԱՀԻՆ cut in Armenian capitals beneath them, with leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and an oval grip through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turned over, the board shows its inlaid chequered panel in pale and darker squares, a stippled grape cluster with curling leaves carved at either end, the grip cut beneath and two small brass-toned clasps along the front edge.

Inside, a map of the Republic of Armenia with its provinces outlined and named in Armenian is incised into each half between rows of drop-shaped points, with scalloped bar edges, troughs along the rails and corners and two ornamental brass-toned hinges on 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: Sanahin Monastery — domed churches and belfry — in relief on a stippled ground inside a rope-rimmed lobed cartouche with the name in Armenian capitals, 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 province map of Armenia with Armenian lettering in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two ornamental 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

• Named on the lid: ՍԱՆԱՀԻՆ is cut beneath the churches, so there is no guessing which monastery it is.
• Lobed frame: the monastery sits in a pointed, rope-rimmed cartouche rather than the usual round roundel.
• Armenia inside: a labelled province map is incised into each half of the playing side.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which buildings are shown? The main churches of the Sanahin complex with their conical domes and the belfry, carved as a group on a stippled ground and named in Armenian below. 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? Brush the domes, the lettering and the stippled ground 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.