Gameboard

Object Details

Dan artist

Label Text

Among the Dan, elaborately sculpted gameboards for playing ma kpon, a local version of mankala, the count-and-capture board game, are valued for their decoration. Such gameboards are usually decorated with incised geometric or representational designs on the long sides and have at each end a handle, one of which may be carved in the form of a human or ram's head. The second handle is often a simple cup. This gameboard may be considered to be a special one for several reasons. Both handles are given special forms: a woman's head and a footed vessel. The elongated neck of the figure is not simply a cylinder but displays decorative carving to represent "fat rings," symbols of good health and feminine beauty.

Description

A wood rectangular form supported on four feet, with twelve depressions arranged in two parallel rows of six, and a handle at each end. The long sides of the gameboard are decorated with incised designs: triangles with striated lines filled with white pigment which are placed apex to apex and a checkerboard pattern. The handles are carved in the form of a female head and a footed vessel; each carved in the round.

Provenance

Anonymous donor, ca.1975 to 1999

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Credit Line

Anonymous gift

Mid-20th century

Object number

99-24-1

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Wood, pigment

Dimensions

H x W x D: 13.1 x 76.7 x 16.2 cm (5 3/16 x 30 3/16 x 6 3/8 in.)

Geography

Liberia

Côte d'Ivoire

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

geometric motif

male

female

Record ID

nmafa_99-24-1

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7ede91dcb-d5f9-4ef7-937b-44c44815eddc