Ossetian Snow Leopard Backgammon Set with Handle

Ossetian Snow Leopard Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A snow leopard paces before the mountains on this Ossetian backgammon set — the emblem of Ossetia with ОСЕТИЯ lettered beneath it, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a stippled ground between leaf scrolls, a rope border and stippled corner triangles. A cut-out carry handle runs through each half. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn it over and the other face carries an incised chequered panel — alternating squares stamped with small flower marks — set between two carved leaf scrolls, with the second handle cut above it.

Inside, the points are incised as slim drops with round tips, a trough for the checkers runs along each outer rail beside the grip, and the halves swing on brass-toned hinges with an ornate one at the centre of the spine. The four 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, medium brown stain, brass-toned hinges
• Carving: the snow leopard of Ossetia before a mountain range with ОСЕТИЯ lettered beneath, in a rope-rimmed roundel on a stippled ground, leaf scrolls either side, a rope border and stippled corner triangles on a wavy-edged lid; an incised flower-stamped chequered panel between leaf scrolls 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 round tips, a checker trough along each outer rail
• Hardware: brass-toned hinges — an ornate one at the centre of the spine and two small ones at its ends
• Craftsmanship: handmade in Armenia

What's Included

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

Why You'll Love It

• The rarest cat on any emblem: most nations carve a lion or an eagle; Ossetia's arms carry the snow leopard, and here it walks its mountains in relief.
• Carried in the wood itself: a grip is cut through each half, so the closed board lifts by its own edge without a bag or strap.
• Lettered, not guessed: ОСЕТИЯ is cut into the roundel's rim, so the board names its own country.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the animal a lion? No — it is the snow leopard of the Ossetian coat of arms, spotted and long-tailed, pacing in front of a mountain range, with ОСЕТИЯ cut beneath it. There is no bag: the old copy listed one, but the four 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 leopard, the peaks 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.