Minneapolis Institute of Art

Game Board

China

Date

17th century

Medium

Huang-hua-li, ji-chi-mu hardwood, zitan and brass

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Chinese have played weiqi , or go , since ancient times and it is first mentioned in the Confucian classics of the fifth century B.C. Both men and women of the educated class played weiqi and to the literati, it became a symbol of the intellect. This huanghuali board is framed in jichimu hardwood and inlaid with silver. One side is a board for weiqi , while the reverse is a board for chess, or xiangqi or elephant chess. The fluted bowls, used to hold the stone weiqi markers are also made of huanghuali wood. They are fashioned in the shape of a melon and the round lids are carved with an eight-pointed star pattern. These containers are generally made in a size that can be easily held in the palm of the hand. Weiqi markers during Qing were generally made from stone or glass. China, Asia

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