Howling Wolf Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls

Howling Wolf Backgammon Set with Leaf Scrolls by Hrachya Ohanyan

The wolf howls at the moon in pale wood: animal, rock and disc all left the colour of the beech, between sweeps of deep-carved leaf scroll on a dark lid. This is the 60 cm / 23.6″ wooden backgammon set made by Hrachya Ohanyan, classic outline. Handmade in beech, with 32 wooden checkers, dice and a carrying bag.

This is the board for the player who wants the wolf but not the price of the deep-relief one — the same scene, drawn instead of sculpted, the carving spent on the scrolls. The wolf stands on its rock with its muzzle up, its fur cut in fine lines, in low relief on a smooth pale disc ringed with faint circles, in a beaded ring on cross-hatching. Either side, big acanthus scrolls curl in full depth over a honeycomb-stippled field, and the same scrolls fill the corners of the back.

Inside, a dark field with pale drop-tipped points, a carved flower ornament on each half, and an ornate bronze hinge on the bar; the back cover carries the same leaf scrolls at its corners. For the hunting cabin, the man cave, and the player who likes their scrollwork bold.

Specifications

• Size open: 60 × 60 cm / 23.6″ × 23.6″
• Size folded: 60 × 30 cm / 23.6″ × 11.8″
• Material: beech wood, stained deep walnut brown and varnished, the wolf and moon left pale
• Carving: howling wolf on a rock against a pale moon disc, in low relief and fine lines inside a beaded ring on a cross-hatched ground; deep-carved acanthus leaf scrolls either side on a honeycomb-stippled field; beaded border; leaf scrolls at the corners of the back
• Outline: Classic — a square frame with a moulded rim
• Hardware: cast-bronze hinges and clasps
• Craftsmanship: entirely handmade by Hrachya Ohanyan

What's Included

• Hand-carved backgammon board
• 32 beech and walnut checkers
• Dice set
• Black carrying bag

Why You'll Love It

• Leaves in full depth: the acanthus scrolls either side are carved deep, with curls that stand clear of the ground, so the plain wolf disc sits between two pieces of real sculpture.
• Two tones, no paint: wolf, rock and moon are the natural beech left pale inside the dark-stained lid, so the scene reads at a glance from across the room.
• 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 leaf scrolls are carved in deep relief into the beech, the honeycomb stipple and cross-hatching are cut into the ground, and the wolf, rock and moon are worked in low relief and fine lines on the pale disc. 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 bag.

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.