Georgian Coat of Arms Walnut Backgammon Set with Classic Outline

Georgian Coat of Arms Walnut Backgammon Set with Classic Outline by Hrachya Ohanyan

The coat of arms of Georgia — two lions holding the shield of St George and the dragon, the ribbon below — carved in deep relief on walnut. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ 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 Georgian household in Tbilisi or Batumi, the supra table, and the friend from across the border who plays nardi as seriously as you do. The two lions rear up either side of the shield, manes and tails cut deep; on the shield St George rides down the dragon, the crown of Iberia sits above and the ribbon beneath carries the motto Strength is in Unity in Georgian letters. All of it stands on a star-stippled disc in a rope-and-bead ring, chip-carved diamond lattice beyond.

Open it and the walnut goes quiet: cross-hatched points with 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, and two eternity whirls carved on the back. For the Tbilisi office, the wedding in Kutaisi, and the player who wants the lions on the lid and walnut everywhere else.

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
• Carving: the coat of arms of Georgia — two rampant lions holding the shield of St George and the dragon, the crown of Iberia above, the motto ribbon in Georgian letters below — in deep relief on a star-stippled disc inside a rope-and-bead ring and lobed cartouche; chip-carved diamond lattice on the outer fields; rope-and-bead borders; two eternity whirls in stippled discs on the back; petal wheels in scrolled rings and cross-hatched points in line work inside
• 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

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

Why You'll Love It

• The arms as Georgia draws them: lions, shield, St George, crown and motto are all there in deep relief, so a Georgian reads it at a glance and a guest asks about it.
• No stain, no shortcut: the walnut is its own colour and every line of lattice is chip-carved, so the lid reads as wood under the hand and only darkens with age.
• 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

What does the ribbon say? ძალა ერთობაშია — Strength is in Unity, the motto of Georgia, carved in Georgian letters on the ribbon beneath the shield. Above it St George rides down the dragon, the two lions hold the shield and the crown of Iberia tops it: the arms of Georgia as they stand today. Everything is carved in relief into natural walnut and 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.

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.