Roaring Lion Backgammon Set with Star Roundels and Handle

Roaring Lion Backgammon Set with Star Roundels and Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Three roundels run across this carved backgammon set — a roaring lion's head in profile in the middle one, an eight-pointed faceted star in each of the two beside it, all rope-rimmed on a stippled ground inside a rope border. A cut-out carry handle passes through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Flip the closed board and a chequered field of pale and dark inlaid squares takes up the middle of the wavy-edged underside, a leaf-and-grape cartouche carved at each end and the second grip cut through the top edge.

Open it and the same star returns, incised once into the middle of each half between rows of incised drop-shaped points with scalloped bar edges. A checker trough runs along each outer rail beside the grip, and the two halves swing on a pair of brass-toned hinges. The six 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, dark brown stain with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: a roaring lion's head in profile in a rope-rimmed roundel, an eight-pointed faceted star in a rope-rimmed roundel either side, stippled ground and rope border on a wavy-edged lid; leaf-and-grape cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face
• Checkers: 32 wooden checkers; two dice
• Carry handle: cut-out grip through the top edge of both halves
• Inside: incised drop-shaped points with scalloped bar edges and an incised eight-pointed star in each half; checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: two ornate brass-toned hinges on the spine
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding beech backgammon board with carry handle
• 32 wooden checkers
• Two dice

Why You'll Love It

• Three roundels, one line: lion in the centre, a star each side — the lid reads as a row rather than a single picture.
• The mane is the work: every lock is cut as its own ridge, so the head catches light from any angle.
• Grip, not bag: a handle is cut through both halves, so the closed board lifts by its own edge.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Where is the octagon? The old title said 'lion in octagon', but there is no octagon — the lion sits in a round roundel, and the shapes either side are eight-pointed stars. There is no bag: the old copy listed one, but the six 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 mane and the stippled 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.