Bugling Stag Backgammon Set with Handle

Bugling Stag Backgammon Set with Handle — Handmade in Armenia

A stag calls from the roundel of this carved backgammon set — head up, mouth open, heavy antlers laid back, standing in tall grass — carved on a cross-hatched ground inside a rope rim, with leaf scrolls, a rope border and an oval grip through the wavy-edged lid. 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ open, handmade in Armenia.

Turn the board and the reverse is a chequered panel inlaid in pale and darker squares, a stippled grape cluster with curling leaves carved at either end, the grip cut beneath and two small brass-toned clasps closing the front edge.

Inside, drop-shaped points and a heart-petalled wheel are incised into each half of the plain stained wood; the bar edges are scalloped, troughs run along the rails and corners, and two plain brass-toned hinges join 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: bugling stag with laid-back antlers standing in tall grass, in relief on a cross-hatched ground 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 heart-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

• Mid-call: the stag's head is raised and its mouth open, antlers thrown back — not a still pose.
• Grass underfoot: the tufted grass is carved beneath the hooves, so the animal stands on ground, not on air.
• Carry it closed: the oval grip runs through both halves and the clasps hold the board shut.

Good to Know Before You Buy

How is this different from the other stag boards? This one shows a single stag calling with its antlers laid back; the others have a stag with its head turned, a stag with a doe, or a stag at bay with wolves. 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 antlers, the grass and the cross-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.