Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Backgammon Set with Contour Outline

Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armenian Backgammon Set with Contour Outline by Hrachya Ohanyan

Etchmiadzin Cathedral in relief — belfry, dome and arcaded walls on a star-punched ground — in an arched cartouche between deep scrolls of pomegranates and leaves, on a lid with scrolled edges. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, contour outline. Beech, 32 checkers, dice and a carrying bag.

This is the board for the christening gift, the Armenian school raffle and the player who wants the Mother Cathedral on a board that gets played. The church is cut as a building: the belfry with its conical roof in front, the drum and dome behind, the arcaded precinct wall running off to the side, all standing off a ground punched into small stars. Either side, a C-scroll of leaves curls round a pomegranate in the same relief, and the lattice behind them runs to the curled corners.

Inside, the walnut-brown stain gives way to pale beech on every other point, each under a small drop tip, with a petal wheel on each half and brass hinges on the bar; turn the closed board over and a chequerboard of pale and stained squares sits between two more pomegranate scrolls. For the Easter table, the godfather's present, and the player who wants Armenia's first cathedral at the table.

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 left bare
• Carving: Etchmiadzin Cathedral — belfry, drum and dome, arcaded precinct wall — in relief on a hand-punched star-stipple ground in an arched cartouche; a C-scroll of leaves round a pomegranate in relief either side, on diamond lattice, with a rope border to the scrolled contour edge; a chequerboard of pale and stained squares between two more pomegranate scrolls on the back; pale drop-tipped points and a petal wheel in line work on each half inside
• Outline: Contour — scrolled edges with swelling shoulders and curled corners
• Hardware: cast-bronze clasps, brass hinges
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board with Etchmiadzin Cathedral in relief
• 32 beech and walnut checkers
• Dice set
• Black carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• The cathedral, in relief: belfry, dome and walls stand off the punched ground as a building with real shadow, not a line drawing on a disc.
• Pomegranates in the scrolls: the frame is carved too — leaf scrolls curling round a pomegranate either side of the church, and again on the back around the chequerboard.
• 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 cathedral carved in relief? Yes — the church stands proud of the lid, with the belfry, the drum and dome and the arcaded wall cut as separate masses, and the ground behind punched by hand into small stars. The pomegranate scrolls either side are the same relief, the lattice is chip-carved, the points and petal wheels inside are cut into the field, 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 bag.

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.