Lion on a Rock Backgammon Set with Carved Leaf Scrolls

Lion on a Rock Backgammon Set with Carved Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Four-square on a rocky ledge with its tail curled up over its back, a maned lion is carved along the length of this wooden backgammon set, looking out over its shoulder from a stippled ground, with a leaf scroll closing the panel at either end — upright when the board stands on its edge, lengthwise when it lies flat. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, 30 × 60 cm folded, handmade in Armenia.

The mane is cut in heavy overlapping locks and the rock beneath the paws in broken planes, both standing well clear of the ground. On the other outer face of the wooden backgammon board a chequered panel of pale and dark squares sits between two shell-scroll panels.

Open, the dark-stained halves carry pale inlaid points with arrow tips, a pale spoked wheel in the centre of each, arched end rails and a long dice recess in every corner. Thirty-two wooden checkers and a pair of dice come with the board.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark stained, brass hinges and clasps
• Carving: standing lion on a rock along the lid, leaf scrolls at each end; chequered panel between shell scrolls on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale; dice
• Inside: pale inlaid points with arrow tips and a spoked wheel in each half; arched end rails, corner dice recesses
• Hardware: brass hinges and two side clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers, dark and pale
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• A whole lion: body, mane, tail and rock, not a head in a roundel.
• Carved for the wall too: stood on its edge the board reads as a lion panel.
• Inlaid field: pale points and wheels set into the dark board, not printed.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is it a heraldic rampant lion? No — the lion stands on all four legs on a rock, tail raised, the way a real lion surveys its ground; there is no shield or rearing pose. It is relief over a stippled ground; the points and wheels inside are pale wood set into the dark beech.

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 carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat surfaces with a dry cloth. Keep the board away from direct sun and radiators and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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