Coat of Arms, Ararat and King Tigran Armenian Backgammon Set

Coat of Arms, Ararat and King Tigran Armenian Backgammon Set — Handmade in Armenia

Three panels run across the lid of this carved walnut Armenian backgammon set — the Armenian coat of arms in a scrolled frame, a walled monastery with poplars under the twin peaks of Ararat in the round centre, and a king in profile wearing the star-and-eagle tiara of Tigran the Great — with a cut-out carry handle above. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The wooden backgammon board is unstained walnut, so its dark streaks run through the scenes, and the ground round the panels is cut in a fine diamond lattice. The other outer face carries a chequered panel with a small motif in every alternate square, framed by two leaf scrolls.

Inside, a map of historic Armenia with place names is incised into each half, the points are incised lines with arrow tips, the handle cut-outs run through both sides and each corner has a dice recess. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice come with the board.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, natural finish, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Armenian coat of arms, walled monastery before Ararat and King Tigran in three framed panels on the lid; chequered panel between leaf scrolls on the other face; lattice ground
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised points with arrow tips and a map of historic Armenia in each half; corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• Three views of Armenia: the arms, the mountain with a monastery below it, the king.
• The centre roundel: poplars, church domes and brick walls cut in low relief under Ararat.
• Maps inside: historic Armenia incised and lettered in each half of the board.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Which monastery is in the middle? The carving shows a walled church with poplars directly below Ararat, the classic view from the plain, but it is not lettered, so we do not put a name on it. The three panels are cut in relief over a stippled and lattice ground; the maps and points inside are incised lines in the walnut.

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 relief with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat walnut with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun so the pale walnut stays even, and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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