Walking Lion Backgammon Set with Lobed Cartouche

Walking Lion Backgammon Set with Lobed Cartouche — Handmade in Armenia

Not a head but the whole animal: a lion walks across the lid of this carved backgammon set, one forepaw raised, tail curled over its back, inside a rope-rimmed lobed cartouche on a stippled ground, with leaf scrolls and palmettes filling the field and an oval grip cut through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Two grape-and-leaf cartouches, the clusters stippled and the leaves curling, are carved either side of the inlaid chequered panel on the reverse; the grip repeats below the squares and two small brass-toned clasps sit on the front edge.

The playing side is plain stained wood with the ornament cut in line only — drop-shaped points, a petalled wheel in the middle of each half, scalloped bar edges, troughs along the rails and corners and two plain brass-toned hinges on the spine.

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: walking lion with raised forepaw and curled tail, in relief on a stippled ground inside a rope-rimmed lobed cartouche, leaf scrolls and palmettes on a stippled field with a dashed 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 plain 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

• Lobed, not round: the lion's frame is a shield-like cartouche with a rope rim, unusual in a family of round roundels.
• Full figure: body, raised paw and curled tail, not just a face — the old copy had it wrong.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is it a lion's head? No — the old listing described a regal head, but the carving is the whole lion in mid-stride on a stippled ground. 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 lion, the scrolls and the stippled 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 heat, and close both clasps before lifting it by the grip.

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