Accession Number
1997/1.504

Title
Gold-weight

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1900-1985

Medium & Support
brass

Dimensions
2 1/16 in x 5/8 in x 3/16 in (5.3 cm x 1.6 cm x 0.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
Figurative gold-weight in the form of a loosely coiled snake (owo in Twi) (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). A related proverb states: 'The cobra that blocks the path is going his own way, yet people run away when they see him', meaning that once a person gets a bad reputation, it is difficult to trust them even if they mean no harm (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, 1980, p. 207).   

Physical Description
Gold-weight in the shape of a thick, curving line with an oblong head and a thin, pointed tail. 

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
goldweight

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
Serpentes (suborder)
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
weighing devices