Accession Number
1997/1.478

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1900-1985

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
1 3/4 in x 15/16 in x 1/8 in (4.4 cm x 2.4 cm x 0.3 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Gold-weight in the shape of what has been called a 'cogwheel'. According to Garrard, this form may have been one of the earliest independently developed by the Akan (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, 1980, pp. 278-279). Circular and semi-circular shapes are fairly common among the abstract weights, which are possibly the oldest and most numerous kind. 

Physical Description
Gold-weight in the shape of a flat semi-circle with notched edge decorated with horizontal incisions. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
rising suns
weighing devices