Striding Lion Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Striding Lion Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Jaws open and one forepaw lifted, a lion strides over rocks across this carved backgammon set — mane in cut locks, tail curled behind, the rocks worked in flat planes — on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Close it and turn it over, and the underside carries its own inlay: a chequered panel of pale and dark squares between two carved leaf-and-grape cartouches.

Inside, an eight-petal flower is incised in a ring in the middle of each half, drop-shaped points with round tips run above and below, the bar edges are scalloped, and each outer rail is hollowed into a trough with a round cup at both ends. 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 lion striding over rocks with one forepaw raised, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched 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

• Mid-step: one paw is off the rock and the jaws are open — the lion is caught moving, not posed.
• Rock under the paws: the ground is cut as angular slabs, so the animal has something solid to stand on rather than a flat field.
• 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 lion looking back over its shoulder? No — the old copy said its head swings round, but the head is in profile facing forward, jaws open in a roar. 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 mane, the rocks and the cross-hatched 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.