Accession Number
1997/1.369

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
5/8 in x 3/8 in x 1/4 in (1.6 cm x 1 cm x 0.7 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Gold-weight in an abstract geometric design. 
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 Description
Gold-weight in a geometric shape with a notched rectangular column. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
goldweights
measuring
measuring devices (instruments)
miniature (size attribute)