Tiger Backgammon Set with Ararat Outline

Tiger Backgammon Set with Ararat Outline by Hrachya Ohanyan

A tiger roaring its way out of the lid — ears back, fangs bared, one clawed paw forward — in deep relief under the twin peaks of Ararat. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ Armenian wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan. Handmade in beech, with 32 wooden checkers, dice cut from billiard balls and a branded carrying case.

This is the board for the man who wanted the animal, not the ornament. The tiger is carved as if breaking through: the ground inside the ring is cut into torn, rippling folds and the head comes out of it in full depth — brow furrowed, whiskers scored, mouth open to the back teeth, the paw ahead of the face, every claw cut. Stained pale honey, in a rope-and-bead ring on a stippled field, cusped panels and lattice corners round it, the snow peaks above.

Lift the lid and the noise stops — pale and dark points tipped in fleur-de-lys, a wheel ornament in a scrolled ring on each half, an ornate bronze hinge on the bar, whirls on the back cover. For the man cave, the fortieth birthday, and the boy who has grown up and still likes tigers.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, stained pale honey and varnished
• Carving: roaring tiger head and forepaw in deep relief, bursting through a torn, rippled ground inside a rope-and-bead ring on a stippled field; cusped stippled panels and diamond lattice corners; rope borders; the two snow-streaked peaks of Ararat along the top edge; eternity whirls on the back
• Outline: Ararat — the twin peaks of Mount Ararat along the top edge, over a scrolled body with curled corners
• Hardware: cast-bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board
• 32 beech and walnut checkers with velvet bases
• Dice set cut from billiard balls
• Branded carrying case

Why You'll Love It

• It comes out at you: the ground round the tiger is carved as torn folds, so the head and paw look pushed through the lid rather than laid on it.
• Mountain over the beast: the peaks on the top edge make it the Armenian tiger board — the same animal, but with Ararat above it.
• Make it theirs: add a name or a date at checkout to mark a birthday, a retirement or years of games together.

Good to Know Before You Buy

Is the carving real? Yes. The tiger, its paw and the torn ground round it are carved in deep relief into the beech, the stippling, lattice and rope borders are cut into the same lid, and the peaks are shaped along the top edge. Stain and varnish come last; nothing is printed, cast or applied.

What about shipping and returns? Shipping is free to the US, Canada and Europe, always tracked; other countries pay a flat $100 (Brazil, Chile and New Zealand $200). 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. Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and store it closed in its carrying case.

About the Artist - Hrachya Ohanyan

National Master Hrachya Ohanyan began his fine woodcraft in 1985 and founded his workshop in Yerevan in 2010. This board belongs to his collection of wooden backgammon sets, each one made by hand by the craftspeople of that workshop. Read Hrachya Ohanyan's story or explore the full backgammon collection.

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