Georgian Backgammon Set - Holy Trinity Cathedral

Georgian Backgammon Set - Holy Trinity Cathedral

Most of the buildings carved onto boards like this are a thousand years old. This one is not, and that is what makes it interesting. The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi — Sameba, the one standing high on its hill above the city — is hand-carved in relief inside a deep oval frame at the centre of this handmade Georgian backgammon set, its stepped tiers and tall central spire cut cleanly, with carved scrollwork spreading out around the frame to the border.

Plenty of Georgians remember it going up. It is young enough to be somebody's living memory and already the thing everyone navigates by: you can see it from half the city, and every visitor gets driven past it whether they asked to or not. Open the clasps, let the bronze hinges swing back, and the full 23.6" / 60 cm playing field is underneath, ready. Carry this hand-carved wooden backgammon board in by its cut-out handle, put it on the table, and the evening organises itself around it the same way the city organises itself around the hill.

What's Included

• Backgammon board with bronze hinges, clasps and a cut-out carry handle
• 32 checkers made from beech and walnut wood
• A pair of dice and a carrying bag

Specifications

• Folded: 30 x 60 cm / 11.8 x 23.6"
• Open playing field: 60 x 60 cm / 23.6 x 23.6"
• Weight: 5 kg / 11 lb
• Wood: solid beech, with bronze hinges and clasps
• Entirely handmade

Why It Stands Out

• The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi carved by hand in relief inside a deep oval frame
• Scrollwork cut around it and carried out to the border of the lid
• Folds shut on bronze hinges and travels by its own cut-out carry handle
• A handmade Georgian backgammon board with the city's best-known silhouette on it

A Gift That Names a City

For anyone who has lived in Tbilisi, left Tbilisi, or been taken there once and not stopped talking about it since. Set it down and somebody will point at the lid before they pick up a checker.