Walking Bull Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Walking Bull Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Head turned to look at you and tail curled over its back, a bull walks through tall grass in the leaf-chain roundel of this wooden backgammon set, cut in relief on a cross-hatched ground with leaf sprays either side and a leaf-chain border on the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

It is a calmer bull than most. No lowered head, no charge — the animal is caught mid-stride, horns up, one hind hoof lifted, and the grass blades under it are cut one by one into the ground. The other face carries a chequered panel with a floret stamped on alternate squares, set between two scroll brackets with stippled panels.

Inside, drop-shaped points are incised into each half with a petalled wheel between them, the checkers rest in troughs along the rails, and two plain hinges on the spine fold the board flat behind its two front clasps. It comes with 32 wooden checkers and dice.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark red-brown stain, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: walking bull with head turned and tail curled, on grass, cross-hatched ground, in a leaf-chain roundel; leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border with stippled corner spandrels on a wavy-edged lid; chequered panel with stamped florets between stippled scroll brackets on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and a petalled wheel in each half; checker troughs along the rails
• Hardware: two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine, two small brass-toned clasps on the front edge
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Caught mid-stride: the bull's raised hind hoof, turned head and curled tail give the lid movement without a charge.
• Both faces carved: leaf sprays round the bull on the lid, a floret-stamped chequered panel between scroll brackets on the reverse.
• Wavy edges: the scalloped outline of the case is cut into the wood on every side, not just the lid.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the bull carved in relief? Yes — the body, horns and tail stand above the cross-hatched ground and the grass is incised blade by blade; the close-up photo shows the depth. The five photos show the board alone; checkers and dice are listed from the maker's specification, and there is no bag.

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 hatched ground, the grass and the leaf chain with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from heat, and store it closed.

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