Armenian Kings Carved Backgammon Set in Walnut with Carry Handle

Armenian Kings Carved Backgammon Set in Walnut with Carry Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Six rulers of Armenia, three to each face, are carved in relief on this Armenian backgammon set, each in a roundel with his name in Armenian letters beside him: Tigran the Great in his eagle tiara and Trdat the Great in his crown hold the centre of either side, with grapevines and heavy bunches twining between the portraits. Pale walnut, 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″ closed, handmade in Armenia.

The faces are worked to the edges, the ground stippled behind every portrait, and a cut-out carry handle sits in the top edge of the wooden backgammon board with the vine looping round it. Inside, the field carries incised lattice points and a ringed disc in each half, carved scalloped rails at the ends, a long recess in each corner for the dice and the handle cut-out passing through both side rails.

Dark and pale wooden checkers and a pair of dice ride inside; two clasps on the sides and brass hinges keep the kings face out on the shelf.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: pale walnut wood, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: six crowned rulers in roundels with Armenian lettering, Tigran the Great and Trdat the Great at the centres, grapevines with bunches on both faces; incised lattice points and ringed 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 walnut backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Six portraits: crowned rulers of Armenia carved in relief, three on each face.
• Named in the wood: Tigran the Great, Trdat the Great and their company lettered in Armenian.
• Grapes between them: vine and bunches carved almost in the round.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are the portraits carved? Yes — each face, crown and beard is cut in relief over a stippled ground, the names are lettered into the wood beside them and the grape bunches stand proud of the surface. The points and discs inside are incised lines, not print.

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 with a soft brush and wipe the flat walnut 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.