Accession Number
1997/1.380

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1900-1985

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
11/16 in x 11/16 in x 15/16 in (1.8 cm x 1.8 cm x 2.3 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Geometric gold-weight in the shape of a five-stepped pyramid. The representation of a step pyramid, like in this example, is a common motif. This form is not the oldest among gold-weights, but from around the sixteenth century on it appears to have become common (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, 1980, pp.282-283; Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014).

Physical Description
Gold-weight in the shape of five stepped squares. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
pyramids (geometric figures)
weighing devices