Luxury Mher the Lion Armenian Backgammon Set with Carry Handles

Luxury Mher the Lion Armenian Backgammon Set with Carry Handles — Handmade in Armenia

A lion's face, mane cut curl by curl, glares out of a cartouche of acanthus scrolls on the lid of this luxury Armenian backgammon set, named for Mher the Lion of Sasun — a 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ walnut board with a shaped outline and a carry handle cut through each end, handmade in Armenia.

This is the wooden backgammon set that carries a name rather than a scene: the lion alone, brow furrowed, teeth bared, the scrolls curling away from him on a stippled ground inside a raised moulded border that follows the shaped edge, with a scroll boss at each corner. The far face carries a carved panel between two ribbon scrolls. Closed, the two handles line up at the top.

Inside, the walnut is left to its stripe: points scored in fine lines with arrow tips, a sunflower drawn in each half, the handle slots open at the ends, a trough along each for the checkers and dice. The 32 checkers are turned wood with a carved face, pale and dark, and brass clasps hold the board shut.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″ — shaped outline
• Material: walnut wood, oiled finish, with the stripe of the grain showing inside
• Carving: lion's face in a cartouche of acanthus scrolls, stippled ground, raised moulded border, scroll bosses at the corners, shaped outline, cut-out handle at each end; line-work points and a sunflower in each half inside
• Checkers: 32 turned wooden checkers with a carved face, pale and dark; pair of dice
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Carry handle: cut through each end, the two meeting at the top when closed
• Hardware: brass hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

• Folding carved walnut backgammon board with a carry handle at each end
• 32 turned wooden checkers and a pair of dice
• Carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• A face, not a scene: the lion alone in his scrolls, deep enough to shadow his own mane.
• Handles at both ends: cut through the frame, so the closed board lifts in one hand.
• A shape of its own: the outline follows the cartouche, with a scroll boss at each corner.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The lion, scrolls and bosses are cut in relief into the walnut, the ground is stippled by hand, the outline is sawn to the carving, the handles are cut through the frame, and the points and sunflowers inside are scored in line work. Nothing is printed or pressed.

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. Dust the carving with a soft brush, wipe the flat wood with a dry cloth and store it closed.

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