Fish Mancala Gameboard, Mali | SKU: D1047
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Fish Mancala Gameboard, Mali | SKU: D1047
Hemingway African Gallery
88 Leonard St.
New York NY 10013
United States
All Masks |
All Decorative Art |
Fish Mancala Gameboard Description of Significance
An antique mancala board hand carved in the shape of a fish combines utility with sculptural character. Boards like this were made for one of Africa’s best-known families of strategy games, commonly called mancala. In Mali, a widely known West African variant is called wari, part of the larger oware/awale family of games. These games are typically played on a board with two rows of pits using seeds, stones, or similar counters. Players take turns lifting the contents of one pit and sowing them one by one into the following pits, with the aim of capturing more counters than the opponent. As with many traditional games, exact names and rules can vary by region and community.
Country of Origin
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Hand carved in Mali
Dimensions (inches)
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Depth: 10"
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Length: 30"
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Height: 4"
Sustainable Materials
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Indigenous wood
Display
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This piece is free-standing.
- Wall Hanging Option: please let us know if you are interested in hanging this piece on the wall and we can include a will on the back.
Shipping
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Subsidized U.S. FedEx Ground shipping: $45
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Smaller pieces are shipped via FedEx Ground in a secure box, with careful packaging to ensure safe delivery. To make fine art shipping more affordable, we subsidize part of the cost.
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Each shipment includes a declared value, requiring a signature upon delivery for added security.
This is a decorative contemporary piece.
Hemingway Gallery carefully selects pieces from artists and collectors whose work aligns with our historical and aesthetic standards. This includes newly created artworks that are actively used in ceremonies, which we deeply value despite their lack of age or antiquity. We recognize these as authentic expressions of artistic and cultural heritage, rather than mere tourist trade items.
Our collection also features works by skilled artisans who create fine art inspired by historic styles, as well as contemporary African pieces that may not fit traditional perceptions of ‘African’ art. We celebrate the evolving aesthetics of the continent, striving to showcase design that moves beyond the conventional ‘tribal’ label, reflecting the innovation and creativity of emerging artists.
Our pricing reflects the asking prices set by the artists, artisans, and art dealers in the African countries where we collect, as well as the real costs of responsibly importing their work to the United States. We are committed to challenging the outdated notion that fine art from Africa should be undervalued. Paying artists fairly is our highest priority, and our pricing is structured to honor their skill, labor, and cultural contribution.
We ship around the world! Our website cannot process automatic international shipping rates. Please contact us directly for custom shipping quotes outside the continental U.S.A., (including Hawaii and Alaska).
Free shipping often means the cost is hidden in the product price, a common tactic that can mislead buyers. In fine art, transparency matters—buyers shouldn’t pay for shipping they don’t use. That’s why our pricing is straightforward, without hidden fees, ensuring fairness whether you pick up your art or have it shipped.
Please email us at info@hemingwayafricangallery.com or call 212-838-3650 with the SKU # for further information about this specific piece.
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