Roaring Bear Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Roaring Bear Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Teeth bared and jaws wide, a bear's head in profile roars from the roundel of this carved backgammon set — fur in short strokes, ear laid back, on a stippled ground inside a rope rim — leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and corner triangles on the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Nothing on the back is left bare either: an inlaid grid of pale and dark wood squares occupies the middle of the underside, and carved leaf-and-grape cartouches close it off at both ends.

The playing side is quieter: an eight-petal flower incised in a ring in the middle of each half, drop-shaped points with round tips above and below, scalloped bar edges and a trough along each outer rail ending in a round cup. Two plain brass-toned hinges, no cut-out grip. The five photos show the board alone.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, medium brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a roaring bear's head in profile with jaws open, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a stippled ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a straight-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points with round tips, scalloped bar edges and an incised eight-petal flower in a ring in each half; rail troughs with round cups at the ends
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Head only, and loud: the whole roundel goes to one roaring head, so the teeth and the open jaw read from across the table.
• Fur in strokes: the coat is cut as short overlapping marks that catch light differently from the smooth stippled ground.
• Cups on the rails: every trough ends in a round hollow that keeps the dice within reach.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the bear walking on all fours? No — the old title and copy described a wandering bear ambling through its forest, but the carving is a roaring bear's head in profile, nothing more. There is no bag and no clasps: the old copy listed both, but the five photos show the board only with two plain hinges, and the checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free worldwide and tracked. Every set is covered by our 30-day returns policy.

How do I look after it? Brush the fur and the stippled ground with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat; store it closed with the checkers inside.

Also known as nardi (нарды), nardy, tavla or shesh besh.