Accession Number1997/1.515
TitleGold-weight
Artist(s)AkanArtist NationalityAkan (culture or style)Object Creation Date1900-1985Medium & SupportbrassDimensions 2 1/2 in x 1/4 in x 3/16 in (6.3 cm x 0.6 cm x 0.5 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. James and Vivian CurtisSubject matterFigurative gold-weight in the form of a sword, called
afena in Twi, with a sheath. The stippled pattern on the sheath may represent ray-skin or leather (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). During the 16th century, the use of swords was first recorded and they have played an important part in ritual and ceremonial contexts ever since. The curved, flat blade commonly found on Akan swords may have come from similar Islamic weapons that were carried along trans-Saharan trade routes (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). In the 18th and 19th centuries, swords became increasingly elaborate to show the status and power of Akan officials. This allowed for internal and external communication in royal courts, as sword-bearers were sometimes sent to other courts as ambassadors (cf. McLeod, The Asante, 1981, pp. 88-90). These state or ceremonial swords are part of a king's regalia, but since the early 20th century, the role of swords has declined and today they remain in use as items of display (cf. McLeod, The Asante, 1981, p. 94).
Physical DescriptionGold-weight in the shape of a a cylindrical rod with a pointed tip and a handle made of a short, cylindrical rod between two circular discs. The majority of the cylindrical rod is covered in a pattern of small, raised dots.
Primary Object Classification Metalwork Primary Object TypegoldweightCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
ceremonial swords
ceremonial weapons
communication (function)
goldweights
measuring
miniature (size attribute)
regalia
sheaths (cases)
weighing devices
