Gold-weight

Accession Number
1997/1.427

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1900-1985

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
13/16 in x 1/2 in x 3/8 in (2 cm x 1.3 cm x 0.9 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Geometric gold-weight with a comb-like motif. This solid weight shows an example of the graphic motifs that are represented on Akan gold-weights as well as on many other objects used and produced by the Akan speaking peoples of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. The graphic signs shown on this example might amount to a veritable writing system, although the precise meanings of individual signs remain largely obscure (cf. Niangoran-Bouah, The Akan World of Gold Weights, Vol. 1, pp. 215-221).

Physical Description
Gold-weight in the shape of a rectangular base with four raised bars attached to a single bar on one side. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
weighing devices

& Author Notes

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