Luxury Armenian Alphabet Walnut Backgammon Set in Blue Epoxy

Luxury Armenian Alphabet Walnut Backgammon Set in Blue Epoxy by Hrachya Ohanyan

The Armenian alphabet in deep blue epoxy on walnut — every letter cut into the lid, filled with resin and polished flush, a blue quill on the back. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ luxury wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, classic outline. Handmade in walnut, with 32 checkers, dice cut from billiard balls and a branded case.

This is the board for the study with the Armenian books, the office in Glendale or Marseille, and the player who wants one colour, done properly. The letters are cut into the walnut one by one and filled with a blue resin that shifts from cobalt to sky as the light moves over it, then the whole lid is sanded level and polished, so the alphabet lies flush in the grain. Turn it over and a blue quill writes its line across the back beside more of the letters.

Inside, the epoxy stops and the carving starts: points in line work with a cross-hatched fill and fleur-de-lys tips, a petal wheel in a scrolled ring on each half, a brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark on the bar, all in the walnut's own colour. For the graduation, the godfather's gift, and the player who wants the alphabet outside and a quiet board within.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: walnut wood, natural colour, varnished; letters and quill in deep blue epoxy resin
• Decoration: the letters of the Armenian alphabet cut into the walnut and filled with deep blue epoxy resin, sanded flush and polished (front); a blue resin quill with its inked flourish and further blue letters (back); inside carved in line work — cross-hatched points with fleur-de-lys tips, petal wheels in scrolled rings
• Outline: Classic — straight edges and square corners
• Hardware: brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark, cast-bronze clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Epoxy-inlaid walnut backgammon board, carved inside
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• One blue, every letter: the whole alphabet in a single deep resin, so the lid reads as one design rather than a scatter of colours, and the walnut shows warm between the letters.
• Flush, not painted: the resin is set into the wood and polished level, so nothing can chip or peel and the surface is smooth from edge to edge.
• Make it theirs: add a name or a date at checkout to mark a birthday, a retirement or years of games together.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How does this differ from the coloured alphabet board? Same letters, one colour. Here every letter is filled with the same deep blue resin and the inside is carved in line work in plain walnut; the other board fills the letters and the points with a dozen colours. Both carry the alphabet Mesrop Mashtots created in 405, cut into natural walnut, filled, polished flush and varnished; nothing is painted or printed.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free to the US, Canada and Europe, always tracked; other countries pay a flat $100 (Brazil, Chile and New Zealand $200). Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.

How do I look after it? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed in its carrying case.

About the Artist - Hrachya Ohanyan

National Master Hrachya Ohanyan began his fine woodcraft in 1985 and founded his workshop in Yerevan in 2010. This board belongs to his collection of wooden backgammon sets, each one made by hand by the craftspeople of that workshop. Read Hrachya Ohanyan's story or explore the full backgammon collection.

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