Accession Number1997/1.367
TitleGold-weight
Artist(s)AkanArtist NationalityAkan (culture or style)Object Creation Date20th centuryMedium & SupportbrassDimensions 1 9/16 in x 3/16 in x 1/4 in (3.9 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.7 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. James and Vivian CurtisSubject matterGold-weight in a comb-like geometric design. See: T. Phillips, African Goldweights: Miniature Sculptures from Ghana 1400-1900, pp.87-88
Geometric gold-weights often bear decorations and symbols similar to designs in other media created by Akan-speaking peoples, such as stamped cloth (
adinkra). Similar patterns on different media show the relationship between form, ornamentation, and function. For example,
adampan, the open-fronted verandas that were used to conduct business, link gold-weights and wall murals to a shared economic transactional context.
See:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/online_research_catalogues/agw/african_gold-weights.aspx
Sheales, Fiona, African Goldweights, London, BMP, 2014
Physical DescriptionGold-weight in the shape of a rectangular bar with a shallow dip on the front surrounded by small engraved vertical lines.
Primary Object Classification Metalwork Primary Object TypegoldweightCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
goldweights
measuring
measuring devices (instruments)
miniature (size attribute)