Lion Head and Grape Clusters Backgammon Set with Handle

Lion Head and Grape Clusters Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

Mane cut in layered locks, a lion's head looks straight out of the leaf-chain roundel on this wooden backgammon set, with grape clusters and curling leaf sprays on either side of it on a cross-hatched ground and a scalloped grip cut through the wavy top edge. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

This is the board you leave out on the table. The lion's brow, muzzle and mane stand well proud of the hatched ground, so the face catches light from any side, and the leaf-chain ring around it is repeated as a border around the whole lid. On the other face, pale and darker squares are inlaid in a panel between two carved cartouches of grapes and leaves.

Inside, spear-tipped points are incised into each half around a petalled wheel in a scroll frame, with troughs for the checkers along the rails. It comes with 32 turned wooden checkers in pale and dark wood, dice and a dark cloth carrying bag, and two ornamental hinges on the spine let it fold flat for the shelf.

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 and clasps
• Carving: lion's head face-on in a leaf-chain roundel on a cross-hatched ground, grape clusters and leaf sprays either side, leaf-chain border with stippled corners on a wavy-edged lid; grape-and-leaf cartouches flanking an inlaid chequered panel on the other face; scalloped grip cut through both halves
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark; dice
• Inside: incised spear-tipped points and a petalled wheel in a scroll roundel in each half; checker troughs along the rails
• Hardware: two ornamental 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 turned wooden checkers, pale and dark
• Dice
• Dark cloth carrying bag with handles

Why You'll Love It

• Deep relief: the mane is cut in layered locks that stand out from the hatched ground, not scratched into a flat face.
• Both faces carved: grapes and leaf scrolls around the lion on the lid, inlaid pale-and-dark squares between grape cartouches on the reverse.
• Carry it closed: the scalloped grip runs through both halves and the two front clasps hold the board shut in its bag.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the lion carved in relief? Yes — the locks of the mane, the brow and the muzzle stand above the cross-hatched ground, and the close-up photo shows the depth. The checkers, dice and cloth bag are all photographed with this board.

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 grapes and the 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.