Goldweight / Artist Unknown, African, Ghana, Akan
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1997/1.512
- Title
- Goldweight
- Artist Nationality
- Ghanaian
- Medium and Support
- brass
- Object Creation Date
- 20th century
- Object Creation Place
- Africa (continent)
- Ghana (nation)
- Creation Place 1
- Africa (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- Ghana (nation)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
- Dimensions
- 5.4 cm x 6.1 cm x 1.6 cm (2 1/8 in. x 2 3/8 in. x 5/8 in.)
- Century
- 20th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Metalwork
- Primary Object Type
- goldweight
- Physical Description
- Gold weight in the shape of two crocodiles, crossed over one another, sharing a square-shaped stomach extending from the animals' heads to their pointed tails, with front and hind legs attached separately.
- Subject Matter
- This figurative goldweight quite unequivocally refers to a well-known Asante proverb, which states: "two crocodiles fight for the food, yet it ends up in the same belly." This proverb is commonly understood as a warning againt inter-family strife; despite differences, within the family it is best to focus on commonalities and the common interest.
- Secondary Keywords
- goldweights
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 3888 x 2592
- File Size
- 247 KB
- Record
- 1997/1.512
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1997-sl-1.512/1997_1.512.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Related Links
IIIF
- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1997-SL-1.512:1997_1.512.JPG
Cite this Item
View the Help Guide for more information.
- Full citation
-
"Goldweight; Artist Unknown, African, Ghana, Akan." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1997-sl-1.512/1997_1.512.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 19, 2024.
