Lion Chess and Backgammon Set with Carry Handles

Lion Chess and Backgammon Set with Carry Handles — Handmade in Armenia

A roaring lion's head, cast in metal, is set into a round recess at each end of this chess and backgammon set, on a lattice-carved frame with a carry handle cut through beside it. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia from beech and stained dark, with 32 turned pieces, 32 checkers, dice and a bag.

This is the wooden chess set with teeth. The lion is cast with its mane flared and its jaws open, sunk into the frame at the top and bottom edge; the diamond lattice covers everything else outside the squares, out to a waved edge, and the coordinates sit in brass discs. The 32 pieces are turned in two woods, pale and dark, with carved knights.

Inside, the backgammon field carries the lion again — a maned head carved in pale relief in each half — between pale points and a checker trough on each side, with lifting slots where the handles come through. Two games, one animal, a grip at either end.

Specifications

• Size: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Material: beech wood, dark-stained, with inlaid pale and brown squares
• Carving: cast metal lion's head in a round recess at each end, diamond lattice over the frame, waved edge, brass coordinate discs; inlaid points and a carved lion's head in each half inside
• Pieces: 32 turned wooden chess pieces in pale beech and dark walnut; 32 wooden backgammon checkers; pair of dice
• Folded: 30 × 60 cm / 11.8″ × 23.6″
• Carry handle: cut through each end, with lifting slots in the side rails inside
• Hardware: bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved beech board — chess outside, backgammon inside
• 32 turned wooden chess pieces, 16 pale and 16 dark
• 32 wooden backgammon checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• A lion at each end: cast in metal, mane and jaws, sunk into the lattice frame.
• And two more inside: a maned head carved in pale relief in each half of the backgammon field.
• Handles at both ends: cut through the frame beside the lions, lifting slots in the rails inside.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the lion carved or cast? The two heads on the outside are cast metal, set into round recesses cut in the beech; the two inside are carved in the wood, with the pale relief showing through the dark stain. The lattice is carved, the handles are cut through the frame, and the squares and points are inlaid. Nothing is printed.

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? Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed.

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