Garni and Geghard Backgammon Set with Classic Outline, Two-Sided

Garni and Geghard Backgammon Set with Classic Outline, Two-Sided by Hrachya Ohanyan

Two monuments, one board: the pagan temple of Garni — pediment, fluted columns, stepped podium — carved in relief on the front cover, and the monastery of Geghard, dome and belfry, on the back. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, classic outline, two-sided. Handmade in beech, 32 checkers, dice, branded case.

This is the board for the Yerevan family that takes every guest to Garni and Geghard, the tour guide's retirement, and the player who wants both monuments at full size. Each building sits on a smooth round disc with the flagstones of its forecourt fanning out below: the temple from the front with every column fluted, the monastery from its corner with the drum, pointed roof and a small belfry. A rope-and-bead ring frames each disc; cusped panels of star stipple and diamond lattice fill the covers.

Inside, the stain stops at the points: they alternate pale and dark, each tipped with a fleur-de-lys, a pale petal wheel in a ring of scrolls sits on each half, and a brass hinge stamped with the maker's mark holds the bar. For the Armenian school's prize, the gorge-side guesthouse, and the player who wants two monuments on one table for the price of one.

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 pale points and petal wheels left unstained
• Carving: the temple of Garni — pediment, fluted columns, stepped podium and fanning flagstones — in relief on a smooth round disc (front cover); the monastery of Geghard — conical dome on its drum, belfry, block walls, arched doors and paved forecourt — in relief on a matching disc (back cover); rope-and-bead rings, cusped panels of chip-carved star stipple, diamond lattice and rope-and-bead borders on both covers; points alternating pale and stained with fleur-de-lys tips, and pale petal wheels in scrolled rings 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, carved on both covers
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• Both monuments, full size: Garni on one cover and Geghard on the other, each on its own smooth disc, so whichever way the board lies on the table a monument faces the room.
• Carved in perspective: the flagstones fan out from each building and the walls step back, so the discs read as views down a forecourt, not flat emblems.
• 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 wood walnut? No — this board is beech, stained a walnut brown and varnished, which is why it costs less than the walnut boards in the range. The temple and the monastery are carved in relief into the beech, the pale points and petal wheels inside are left unstained, and the whole 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.

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.