Mid-century Piet Hein for Skjøde Skern Teak Kalaha / Mancala Game, Denmark

This rare and exclusive Kalaha/Mancala vintage board game, designed by the Danish polymath Piet Hein for Skjøde Skjern, is a striking example of mid-century design. Made from solid teak, a simple and beautifully crafted game board, making it both a functional game and a decorative object. The underside bears the stamp "Skjøde Skjern Danmark," affirming its authenticity. Originally created by Hein for Dansk, this piece reflects his brilliance as a mathematician, designer, and inventor.

 

The game set includes 42 original wooden marbles (While 48 is the standard number, the game can be played with different counts to alter the length and difficulty). While the original leather pouch and instructions are missing, the game retains its timeless appeal. Known as "Kalaha" on the original instructions, this variant of Mancala has deep historical roots, with versions of the game played as early as 7,000 years ago in Asia and Africa. Its name derives from South Africa's Kalahari Desert, where early players used sand depressions to play.

For many, Kalaha evokes nostalgia and fond memories, making it more than just a game.

 

When not in use, the board’s minimalist beauty allows it to double as a decorative piece, always ready to bring loved ones together for playful moments.

 

Piet Hein's designs, including this unique game, continue to captivate with their blend of functionality and artistry. This Kalaha board is not only a conversation starter but also a piece of design history—a true meeting of mathematics, craftsmanship, and creativity.

“A game becomes a work of art!”

 

Designed by Piet Hein,

Made by Skjøde Skjern, 1950/60’s

Origin: Denmark

Materials: Teak Wood and Wenge

Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use. It has been meticulously cleaned and polished.

Dimensions:

Height: 5.72 cm

Width: 48.26 cm

Depth: 23.5 cm

 

 

Below you can read his game description:

"7,000 years ago, Kalaha was played in Asia and Africa. The name Kalaha is derived from South Africa's Kalahari Desert, where natives played in depressions in the sand - such depressions can also be found in a huge boulder in the ancient Syrian city of Aleppo, in the base of the columns of the Egyptian Temple of Amun in Karnak, in the steps of the Theseum in Athens and in the rocky ledges along the caravan routes of the ancient world. Kalaha was played with stones or diamonds, even with beautiful slave women as stakes. That's history: but today, 7,000 years later, Kalaha is just as exciting - with or without stakes. The risk of winning a slave girl has shrunk, but the risk of becoming a slave is imminent!"

 

See last photo for the game instructions 

- credit

 

Piet Hein

Piet Hein's childhood and youth in Copenhagen ended with a matriculation exam at the Metropolitan School and subsequently an introductory course in philosophy at the University of Copenhagen in the autumn of 1924. The following years were anything but regular as far as Piet Hein's choices were concerned. For a period he left the university to attend private art schools in the capital, in addition he also spent some time as a student at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in Stockholm. He came back to Denmark and changed course again by returning to study philosophy and theoretical physics at the University of Copenhagen, the University of Technology and the Niels Bohr Institute. For him there was a connection between the subjectivity of visual art and objective science. Throughout his life he expressed himself as both an artist and a scientist, he has been called a universalist. Piet Hein's world is almost the epitome of design, his recognisable style of language and material transforms design into art. In 1944, Piet Hein explained his working method which involves considering art as a solution to problems that cannot be clearly formulated until they are solved. Other people have very aptly recognised his design as being architectural, poetic design.

- Reference

Read more here: 

 

 

 

We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.