Roaring Bear Backgammon Set with Handle

Roaring Bear Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A bear roars from the rope-bordered roundel of this carved backgammon set — head in profile, jaws wide, teeth bared, the shaggy fur of its neck cut in deep, loose ridges against a stippled ground. Lobed panels sit either side and a diamond lattice covers the rest of the lid, with a cut-out carry handle through the top edge of each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Underneath, the wooden backgammon set carries a different face entirely: an inlaid chequered panel in pale and dark squares, bracketed by a carved whorl in each lobed panel.

Inside are pale inlaid points with fleur tips, an interlaced eight-lobed roundel in each half, side grips and brass-toned hinges. Thirty-two wooden checkers in beech and walnut and a pair of dice come with it.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, dark brown stain with pale wood inlays and brass-toned hinges
• Carving: roaring bear's head in profile in a rope-bordered roundel, lobed stippled panels and diamond lattice; inlaid chequered panel between two whorl discs on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut; dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: pale inlaid points with fleur tips and an interlaced eight-lobed roundel in each half; side grips
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges and two front clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers, beech and walnut
• Dice

Why You'll Love It

• Mid-roar: the jaws are open and the teeth are cut individually, so the head has real menace.
• Fur with depth: the neck ruff is carved in long loose ridges that catch shadow from every side.
• Roundels inside: an interlaced pale-wood disc in each half beside the inlaid points.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the whole bear carved? No — the old listing described a bear mid-stride, heavy through the shoulders, but the roundel holds the head alone, in profile and roaring. The ground behind it is stippled rather than cross-hatched; the lattice is on the lid around the panels. The old copy also listed a carrying bag that is not photographed, so it is not included here.

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 fur carving with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and store it closed with the checkers inside.

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