Spartan Warrior Carved Backgammon Set with Carry Handle

Spartan Warrior Carved Backgammon Set with Carry Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A Spartan hoplite stands in a rope-ringed roundel on one face of this carved backgammon set, lambda shield up and sword drawn; on the other face a crested Spartan helmet fills the same roundel over the words THIS IS SPARTA, with a bronze pinwheel disc on either flank, a diamond lattice ground and a cut-out carry handle in the top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

Both figures are cut in relief over a stippled ground, and the handle cut-out runs through both halves of the wooden backgammon board. Inside, the dark-stained field is inlaid with points in two pale tones tipped with small palmettes, a pale lambda inside a Greek-key ring in each half, carved scalloped rails and a long recess in each corner for the dice.

The dice and the two-colour wooden checkers are in the box with it; a clasp on either side and brass hinges keep the hoplite face out between games.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood in a dark stained finish, with pale inlaid points inside; brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Spartan hoplite roundel on one face, crested helmet with THIS IS SPARTA lettering on the other, two bronze pinwheel discs and lattice ground on both; pale inlaid points and lambda discs inside
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge and both side rails
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Two faces of Sparta: the hoplite on one side, the crested helmet and motto on the other.
• Lambda inside too: the shield letter inlaid in a Greek-key ring in each half.
• Carry it by the lid: a cut-out handle runs through both halves.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the warrior carved? Yes — the hoplite, the helmet and the lettering stand in relief over a stippled ground inside stitched rope rings, and the lattice is cut line by line. The two flanking discs are bronze inlays; the points and lambdas inside are pale wood let into the dark field.

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 relief and lattice with a soft brush and wipe the flat wood 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.