Armenian Coat of Arms Walnut Backgammon Set with Ararat Outline

Armenian Coat of Arms Walnut Backgammon Set with Ararat Outline by Hrachya Ohanyan

The state emblem of Armenia carved in deep relief — eagle and lion at the quartered shield, Ararat and the ark at its heart — under a rim cut into the twin peaks of Ararat itself. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, Ararat outline. Handmade in walnut, 32 checkers, dice, case.

This is the board for the consulate's waiting room and the player who wants the mountain on the emblem and on the rim. The carving is deep: the eagle's wing is layered feather over feather, the lion's mane falls in cut locks, the shield's four quarters carry their royal devices round the small Ararat and the ark, and beneath them the sword, broken chain, wheat, ribbon and quill are stacked in relief. It sits on a stippled oval in a rope-and-bead ring, star stipple and lattice beyond.

Inside, nothing competes with the lid: the walnut stays bare, the points are hatched in fine lines under fleur-de-lys tips, a petal wheel in a scrolled ring on each half, and a stamped brass hinge holds the bar; on the back, two eternity whirls stand in full relief. For the Independence Day gift, the returning diplomat, and the player who wants the emblem in wood, not enamel.

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 Armenia — eagle and lion holding the quartered shield with Ararat and the ark at its centre, sword, broken chain, wheat, ribbon and quill beneath — in deep relief on a stippled oval inside a rope-and-bead ring; cusped panels of chip-carved star stipple, diamond lattice and rope-and-bead borders; the twin peaks of Mount Ararat with snow ridges carved on the top edge; two eternity whirls in full relief and star stipple on the back cover; cross-hatched points and petal wheels in scrolled rings in line work inside
• Outline: Ararat — the twin peaks of Mount Ararat along the top edge, over a scrolled body with 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 walnut backgammon board with the Ararat outline
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• The emblem and the mountain: Ararat sits at the heart of the shield and rises again along the top edge of the board, cut as snow ridges — the two Armenias on one lid.
• Deep enough to read across the room: feathers, mane, sword and chain all stand clear of the stippled ground, so the arms throw shadow and read as sculpture, not a stamp.
• 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 is in the four quarters of the shield? The arms of the four royal houses of historic Armenia — the Artaxiads, the Arsacids, the Bagratids and the Rubenids — around a small shield with Mount Ararat and Noah's ark. The eagle and the lion hold it, and beneath lie the sword, the broken chain, the wheat sheaf, the ribbon and the quill of the state emblem. All of it is carved in deep 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.