Great Seal Eagle American Backgammon Set with Handle

Great Seal Eagle American Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

The bald eagle of the Great Seal spreads its wings across this American backgammon set, the striped shield on its breast, an olive branch in one talon, a sheaf of arrows in the other and a starburst of stars above its head, all cut in relief on a stippled ground. Grapevines with clusters, leaves and pomegranates fill the lid around it, and a cut-out carry handle passes through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

Turned over, the wooden backgammon board carries an inlaid chequered panel of pale and dark squares between two carved panels of leaf scrolls and vines, inside a beaded border.

Inside, the same eagle is inlaid in pale wood at the centre of each half, one facing each player, between pale inlaid points with arrow tips; cut-out grips sit in the side rails with a dice recess at each corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice are included.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark stained with pale wood inlays, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: Great Seal eagle with striped shield, olive branch, arrows and starburst, surrounded by grapevines, clusters and pomegranates; inlaid chequered panel between scroll panels on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and an inlaid Great Seal eagle in each half; side grips and corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• Every element of the seal: shield, olive branch, arrows and the ring of stars are all carved, not just the bird.
• Fruit round the emblem: grape clusters and pomegranates hang among the vine leaves on every side.
• The eagle inside too: inlaid in pale wood at the centre of each half, so it faces whoever is playing.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Are there pomegranates on an American board? Yes — the vine border is the same one used across this carved range, with grape clusters and pomegranates among the leaves. The eagle and shield follow the Great Seal; the fruit round them is the carver's frame rather than part of the emblem.

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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces 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.