Goldweight [Mankala Board] 19th-20th century

Curator: Looking at this intriguing brass sculpture identified as a Goldweight Mankala Board crafted by the Akan people during the 19th or 20th century, I'm immediately struck by its symmetrical, almost architectural quality. The arrangement of repeating cylindrical forms establishes a powerful sense of balance and visual rhythm. Editor: Indeed. There's a somber tone suggested here through its earthy, burnished material presence, the patina hinting at countless transactions and shared histories within the Mankala game and culture. Curator: Notice the deliberate structuring: two parallel rows of cup-like forms—likely containers for game pieces—connected by perpendicular struts to a stable base. Its tactile nature, indicative of constant handling, is visually compelling. It invites a very analytical consideration of the artist's problem solving. How best to arrange for efficient use? How to distribute weight? Editor: Well, to expand upon that functional assessment, this piece also operates as an icon, signifying trade, negotiation, and the accumulation of wealth within the Akan community. It also is used as a device for recording important community memory, as stories of transaction can be transferred intergenerationally. Curator: Semiotically, we can dissect the relationship between these forms and infer their deeper significance through contextual analysis. I notice how the consistent module repeats to create a sort of unified code, which begs to be decoded to reveal its underlying message or utility. Editor: For the Akan, forms and cultural meanings can never be entirely separate. This goldweight board points to an intricate societal understanding about capital and memory, a connection many tend to omit in Western economics and art. This is the genius of cultural objects to symbolize how we are with each other. Curator: This compact Akan brass work showcases how practical considerations merge artfully to produce forms replete with historical, commercial, and, above all, sculptural density. I will ponder the balance in material use after our visit. Editor: Indeed. This "Goldweight Mankala Board" isn’t only about its brass, it is as well a symbol etched into history—reminding us of the Akan society and how wealth translates across visual forms. Thank you for these perspectives!