Snarling Tiger Head Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Snarling Tiger Head Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

A tiger's head in profile snarls from the leaf-chain roundel of this wooden backgammon set, stripes cut as long strokes across the cheek and neck, ears flat and jaws open, 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.

Not the whole cat — just the head, and it is enough. The muzzle, the bared teeth and the ruff of fur under the jaw stand in relief, and each stripe is a separate stroke that catches the light as the board turns. On the other face a chequered panel of pale and darker squares is inlaid between two scroll brackets with stippled panels.

Open the two front clasps and the halves swing flat on plain hinges: long incised drops for the points, an eight-petal wheel in the middle of each half, and troughs along the rails where the checkers wait. The board comes with 32 wooden checkers and a dice set.

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 with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: snarling tiger's head in profile with cut stripes, cross-hatched ground, in a leaf-chain roundel; leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border with stippled corner spandrels on a wavy-edged lid; inlaid chequered panel between stippled scroll brackets on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; a dice set
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an eight-petal 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 set

Why You'll Love It

• Stripes you can feel: every stripe is a separate cut across the cheek and neck, not a painted line.
• Both faces carved: leaf sprays round the tiger on the lid, an inlaid chequered panel between scroll brackets on the reverse.
• Wavy edges: the scalloped outline of the case runs round every side, not just the lid.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the tiger carved in relief? Yes — the head stands above the cross-hatched ground and the stripes, teeth and ruff are cut into it; the close-up photo shows the depth. The five photos show the board alone; the checkers and the dice set 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 stripes, the hatched ground 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.