Luxury Assyrian Lamassu Backgammon Set with Ararat Outline, Two-Sided

Luxury Assyrian Lamassu Backgammon Set with Ararat Outline, Two-Sided by Hrachya Ohanyan

The lamassu twice — the winged, human-headed bull of Assyria in deep relief on both covers — under the twin peaks of Ararat carved along the top edge, and a lamassu on every checker. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ luxury Assyrian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, Ararat outline. Handmade in beech, 32 checkers, dice, branded case.

This is the board for the Assyrian and Armenian house together — the mountain of one on the rim, the guardian of the other on both faces — and the collector who wants the full set, checkers included. Each cover carries the lamassu standing off a cross-hatched disc: horned crown, beard in curls, folded wings feathered row by row, beaded harness, a low plinth under the hooves, with a rope-and-bead ring round it, pebble stipple in cusped panels and diamond lattice to the curled corners.

The checkers are the surprise: each beech and walnut disc carries its own small lamassu on the face. Inside, the points alternate pale and dark under fleur-de-lys tips, the Assyrian star sits on a pale disc on each half, and the maker's stamped brass hinge on the bar. For the Assyrian wedding gift that has to outdo the last one, and the player who wants the whole set to speak.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, stained dark brown and varnished, the pale points and the star discs left bare
• Carving: the lamassu — winged bull with a bearded human head in a horned crown, feathered wings, beaded harness — in deep relief on a cross-hatched disc inside a rope-and-bead ring on both covers; cusped panels of chip-carved pebble stipple, diamond lattice and rope-and-bead borders; the twin peaks of Mount Ararat with snow ridges carved on the top edge; points alternating pale and dark with fleur-de-lys tips and the four-pointed Assyrian star on a pale disc on each half inside; a lamassu carved on the face of every checker
• Outline: Ararat — the twin peaks of Mount Ararat along the top edge, over a scrolled body with curled corners
• Hardware: brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark, cast-bronze clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board with the lamassu in relief on both covers
• 32 beech and walnut checkers, each carved with a lamassu, with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Two faces, one guardian: the lamassu is carved in deep relief on both covers, so whichever way the closed board lies on the shelf, the bull is up.
• Down to the checkers: every playing piece has its own lamassu on the face — beech pieces and walnut pieces alike — so the set is Assyrian in the hand, not only on the lid.
• 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

Is it really carved on both sides? Yes. Both covers carry the lamassu in deep relief, standing proud of a cross-hatched disc, with the beard, the feathers and the harness cut as separate rows, and Ararat's snow ridges are carved into the top edge. The lattice, the pebble stipple and the rope borders are chip-carved, the star discs inside are cut in line work into bare beech, the checkers are carved on the face, and the board is varnished. Nothing is printed or applied.

How is this different from the contour lamassu board? Three things: this one is carved on both covers, its outline rises to Ararat's twin peaks instead of the scrolled contour, and the checkers carry the lamassu too. The contour board has the lamassu on one cover, a chequerboard on the other, and plain checkers.

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.