Charging Bull Backgammon Set with Handle

Charging Bull Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A bull comes straight at you on the lid of this backgammon set — head down, horns forward, tail lashing — carved in relief inside a rope-rimmed roundel on a cross-hatched field, with leaf scrolls, a rope border and an oval grip cut through the top of the wavy-edged board. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Flip it and the underside carries a chequered panel of pale and darker squares set flush into the wood, a stippled grape cluster with curling leaves carved at each end, the grip cut beneath, and two small brass-toned clasps at the front edge.

Inside there is no inlay: the drop-shaped points are incised into the stained wood, and a wheel of petals is cut into the middle of each half, so the two players face matching wheels across the bar. Scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs and two brass-toned hinges finish the playing side.

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 with pale wood inlay in the chequered panel, brass-toned hinges and clasps
• Carving: charging bull in relief on rough ground, cross-hatched field 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 petalled wheel in each half; scalloped bar edges, rail and corner troughs
• Hardware: two 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

• Head-on: the bull is carved coming at the viewer, not in profile, so the horns and the lowered head read from across the room.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.
• Matching wheels: a petalled wheel is incised into each half of the playing side, one for each player.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Ox or bull? The old listing called it an ox; the carving shows a bull in full charge, horns forward and tail up, which is what we now call it. 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 bull, the scrolls and the cross-hatched field with a soft dry brush and wipe the flat faces with a dry cloth. Keep the board out of direct sun and away from radiators, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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