Roaring Lion Profile Backgammon Set with Handle

Roaring Lion Profile Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Lighter in colour than most of its family, this carved backgammon set gives its roundel to a roaring lion in profile — jaws open, mane blown back in ridged locks — on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim, with leaf scrolls, a rope border and an oval grip cut through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

The reverse gives you an inlaid chequered panel in pale and darker squares with a stippled grape cluster and curling leaves carved at each end; the grip is cut beneath it and two small brass-toned clasps sit on the front edge.

Inside, the honey stain shows the grain clearly: drop-shaped points and a six-petal wheel are incised into each half, the bar edges are scalloped, troughs run along the rails and corners, and two plain brass-toned hinges join the spine.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, honey-brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: roaring lion's head in profile with a ridged mane, in relief on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope-rimmed roundel, leaf scrolls either side and a rope border on a wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; oval grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points and an incised six-petal wheel in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• 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 with cut-out handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• In profile, mid-roar: the head is turned side-on with the jaws open, not the face-on mask the old copy described.
• Honey tone: the lighter stain shows the beech grain through the carving and across the playing side.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Straight on or in profile? In profile — the old listing said the lion faced straight out, but the carving shows the head side-on, jaws open, mane streaming back. The five photos show the board alone; checkers and dice 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 mane, the scrolls and the cross-hatched ground 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 close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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