Gold-weight

Accession Number
1997/1.458

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
1 9/16 in x 1 5/16 in x 3/8 in (4 cm x 3.4 cm x 0.9 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Figurative gold-weight in the form of what may be a double-bladed sword, called afenatene in Twi, with part of the handle missing (cf. British Museum object number Af1906,0701.62). Called the sword of kingship or the long sword, this kind of sword used to be displayed near the chief when sitting in state within the palace (Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014; MacLeod, The Asante, 1981, pp. 91-92). 

Physical Description
Gold-weight in the shape of two curved blades facing in opposite directions attached to a ball. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
ceremonial swords
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
weapons
weighing devices

& Author Notes

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