Accession Number
1997/1.396

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
13/16 in x 13/16 in x 3/8 in (2.1 cm x 2 cm x 1 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Geometric gold-weight in the shape of a three-stepped pyramid with a flat top. 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 a square base with two smaller squares stacked on top, decorated with incised lines. 

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