Vardan Mamikonyan Backgammon Set with Handle

Vardan Mamikonyan Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Vardan Mamikonyan looks to the right from the lid of this Armenian backgammon set — crested helmet, full beard, cloak over armour — a bust carved in relief inside a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, with leaf scrolls, a rope border and an oval grip cut through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

On the other face, two carved cartouches of stippled grapes and curling leaves bracket an inlaid chequered panel in pale and darker squares; the grip is cut under the panel, and two small brass-toned clasps hold the front edge shut.

The playing side has no inlay: the points are incised as arrow-headed spears, and a petalled wheel inside a knotwork oval is cut into the middle of each half, with scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs and two ornamental pierced brass-toned hinges on the spine.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: bust of Vardan Mamikonyan in profile, crested helmet and cloak, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised arrow-headed points and an incised petalled wheel in a knotwork oval in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two ornamental pierced brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• The man, not the battle: a bust in a crested helmet, carved in profile, rather than a battle scene.
• Spear points: the points inside are incised as arrow-headed spears rather than plain drops.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the portrait labelled? No — there is no lettering on the board. The maker names the bust as Vardan Mamikonyan, the commander at Avarayr in 451, and it is carved as a bearded warrior in a crested helmet and cloak. The five photos show the board alone; checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 portrait, the scrolls 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; close the clasps before carrying it by the grip.

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