Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral Backgammon Set with Handle

Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Sameba stands out in pale wood on this Georgian backgammon set — the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, stepped gables and tall spire on a paved court, in light relief against a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side, rope border, wavy-edged lid. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn it over and the pale wood comes back as squares — a chequered inlay across the underside between two carved leaf-and-grape cartouches, the second grip cut above.

Inside, arrow-tipped points run above and below a sunburst flower in a scrolled ring in each half, a checker trough follows each outer rail beside the grip, and brass-toned hinges join the halves; the photos show pale and dark wooden checkers, two dice and a black cloth carrying bag.

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 for the cathedral and the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi — tiered gables, central spire, paved court — in pale wood relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark, grooved faces; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised arrow-tipped points and an incised sunburst flower in a scrolled ring in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges with an ornate one at the centre of the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Two dice
• Black cloth carrying bag with handles

Why You'll Love It

• Pale on dark: the cathedral is cut in light wood against the stained lid, so the spire and tiers read from across the room.
• The Tbilisi skyline: Sameba on its hill is the building the whole city navigates by, and the carving keeps its stepped silhouette.
• Handle and bag: a grip is cut through each half, and the set comes with a cloth bag for carrying.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the frame oval? No — the old copy said oval, but the cathedral sits in a round, rope-rimmed roundel. Checkers, dice and bag are as photographed.

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 tiers, the spire and the cross-hatched ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

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