Snarling Wolf Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Snarling Wolf Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls — Handmade in Armenia

Teeth bared and ears back, a wolf's head in profile fills the rope-rimmed roundel of this wooden backgammon set, the ruff carved in long strokes on a cross-hatched ground, with broad leaf scrolls either side and a rope-and-leaf border round the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

On the back, squares of pale and dark wood are let into the surface as a chequered panel with a carved cartouche of leaves and stippled grapes at either end, so the shut board still has a game on it.

Open, the playing side is plain and incised — drop-shaped outline points, scalloped bar edges, troughs along the rails and corners — on brass-toned hinges. 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 a pale wood chequered inlay, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a snarling wolf head in profile in a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched ground, leaf scrolls either side and a rope-and-leaf border; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points, scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Edges: wavy outline, no cut-out grip
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• The snarl, close up: open jaws, bared teeth and a heavy ruff fill the roundel edge to edge.
• Scrolls and a wavy edge: broad leaf scrolls and a rope border frame the wolf on a lid with a curved outline.
• Chequered reverse: turn it over and a pale-and-dark inlaid panel gives you a second game.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the wolf howling at the moon? No — the old copy described a raised muzzle and a moon, but the carving is a snarling head in profile with jaws open, and there is no moon, so the listing has been corrected. There is no bag either: the old copy listed one, but the five photos show the board only, 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 ruff 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.