Assyrian Lamassu Backgammon Set with Contour Outline by Hrachya Ohanyan
The lamassu — the winged bull with a bearded human head that guarded the gates of Nineveh — carved in deep relief on a stippled disc, on a lid with scrolled edges. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Assyrian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, contour outline. Handmade in beech, 32 checkers, dice and a branded case.
This is the board for the Assyrian home, the church hall raffle and the player who wants the old empire's guardian on the table. The lamassu is cut standing off the disc: the horned crown, the beard in rows of curls, the feathers of the folded wings, a beaded harness across the flank and the legs on a low plinth, all on a ground of fine cross-hatch stipple. A rope-and-bead ring holds the disc; cusped panels of pebble stipple and diamond lattice run to the scrolled shoulders.
Open, the field is stained dark, the points alternating pale and dark under fleur-de-lys tips, and on each half a pale disc carries the four-pointed star of the Assyrian flag with its wavy rays; a stamped brass hinge sits on the bar, and the back carries a chequerboard between two eternity whirls. For the Assyrian wedding, the Sunday after church, and the player who wants the flag in the game.
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; cusped panels of chip-carved pebble stipple, diamond lattice and rope-and-bead borders to the scrolled contour edge; a chequerboard of pale and stained squares between two eternity whirls on the back; points alternating pale and dark with fleur-de-lys tips and the four-pointed Assyrian star on a pale disc on each half inside
- Outline: Contour — scrolled edges with swelling shoulders and 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
- 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
- Dice set cut from billiard balls
- Branded carrying case
Why You'll Love It
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A guardian in relief: the lamassu stands clear of the disc — crown, curled beard, every row of wing feathers cut separately — the gate-keeper of the Assyrian palaces, on a board you play on.
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The flag inside: each half of the board carries the Assyrian star on a pale disc, so the game side is as Assyrian as the lid, not a generic interior.
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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 the lamassu carved in relief? Yes — in deep relief. The figure stands proud of the disc, with the beard, the feathers and the harness cut as separate rows, and the disc behind it is worked in fine cross-hatch stipple so the bull reads against it. The lattice, the pebble stipple and the rope borders around it are chip-carved, the star discs inside are cut in line work into bare beech, and the board is varnished. Nothing is printed or applied.
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.
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.
