Prowling Lion Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Prowling Lion Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Head down and tail up, a lion prowls through tall grass on this carved backgammon set — shoulders bunched, mane in cut locks, grass in long blades under its paws — inside a rope-rimmed lobed cartouche on a stippled ground, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on the straight-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Beneath, the board is finished too: an inlay of pale and dark squares across the underside, framed by a carved leaf-and-grape cartouche at each end.

Open, each half shows an incised flower in a ring at its centre, drop-shaped points with round tips running top and bottom, scalloped bar edges and a trough hollowed along each outer rail 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 lion prowling head-down through tall grass in a rope-rimmed lobed cartouche 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 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

• Stalking, not roaring: the head is dropped below the shoulders and the tail is up — the pose of a lion closing in, cut in relief.
• A lobed frame: the cartouche is cusped at the sides rather than round, so the scene has a shape of its own between the scrolls.
• 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 roaring? No — the old title and copy said jaws open and mane thrown back, but the carving shows the lion prowling with its head low, moving through grass. 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 grass 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.