Accession Number
1997/1.392

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
1 3/8 in x 1 1/16 in x 3/16 in (3.5 cm x 2.7 cm x 0.5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Gold-weight in the shape of a rectangular shield (ekyem), decorated with a crotal bell (donnomma) at each end (cf. British Museum object number Af1906,0701.65). Shields are a common form of weight, where most depict wicker or hide-covered shields that typically include bells (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, p.113; Philips, African Goldweights, p.110). Gold-weights are often illustrations of famous Akan proverbs. One proverb associated with shields states: 'Though the woman weaves the shield it is kept in the mans' quarters", meaning though a woman maybe skilled, she is still under the protection of a man; referring to the weaving of shields as women's craft (cf. Phillips, African Goldweights, pp. 108-109). Another proverb associated with shields states: 'If you have a shield and if you strike yourself with it thirty times, we don’t blame you' (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights).

Physical Description
Gold-weight in the shape of a rectangle with a central raised bar covered in four small spirals with a semi-circle shaped handle at each end. On both sides of the central bar there are four raised triangles decorated with diagonal lines. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
armor (protective wear)
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
shields (armor)
weighing devices