Armenia and Argentina Coats of Arms Backgammon Set, Two-Sided

Armenia and Argentina Coats of Arms Backgammon Set, Two-Sided by Hrachya Ohanyan

Two countries, one board: the coat of arms of Armenia — eagle, lion and shield — on one cover, the Sun of May and clasped hands of Argentina on the other, in deep relief. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, contour outline, two-sided. Handmade in beech, with 32 checkers, dice and a branded case.

This is the board for the Armenian family in Buenos Aires, Córdoba or Mendoza — and the Argentine who married into one. On the Armenian cover the eagle and lion hold the quartered shield with Ararat and the ark at its heart, sword, broken chain, wheat and ribbon beneath, every feather standing clear of a fine cross-hatched ground. On the other, the oval of Argentina: two hands clasped round the pike and cap, the laurel wreath tied at the base, the Sun of May above, in the same depth.

Both covers sit in lobed cartouches of star stipple with rope-and-bead rings and diamond lattice to the scrolled edge; inside, a walnut-brown field with pale drop-tipped points, a petal wheel in a scrolled ring on each half and an ornate cast hinge. The checkers carry the two coats of arms too. For the diaspora club, the mixed-marriage wedding, and the nardi table where both anthems are known.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, stained walnut brown and varnished, the relief left paler
• Carving: coat of arms of Armenia (eagle and lion, quartered shield with Ararat, sword, chain, wheat and ribbon) in deep relief on a cross-hatched disc (front); coat of arms of Argentina (clasped hands with pike and cap in a laurel wreath under the Sun of May) in deep relief on a matching disc (back); star-stippled lobed cartouches with rope-and-bead rings; diamond lattice on the outer panels; rope borders along the scrolled edge
• Outline: Contour — scrolled edges with swelling shoulders and curled corners
• Hardware: cast-bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board, carved on both covers
• 32 beech and walnut checkers embossed with the two coats of arms, velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Two nations, no plain side: the Armenian arms on one cover, the Argentine on the other — whichever way it sits, a flag is on top.
• Every detail of the arms: the eagle's feathers, the lion's mane, the sun's rays and the laurel leaves are each cut separately, so both emblems read as the real thing, not a sketch.
• 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

Are both coats of arms carved? Yes — both are cut in deep relief from the beech and left paler than the stain: the Armenian eagle, lion and shield on one cover, the Argentine hands, wreath and sun on the other, each standing clear of a cross-hatched ground. The stipple, lattice and rope borders are carved into the same covers. Stain and varnish come last; nothing is printed, cast 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.

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.