Goldweight in the shape of a fish / Artist Unknown, African, Akan-Speaking Peoples, Ghana or Côte d'Ivoire

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About this Item

Record Details

Accession Number
1986/1.202
Title
Goldweight in the shape of a fish
Artist Nationality
Ghanaian
Medium and Support
brass
Object Creation Date
1900-1985
Object Creation Place
Africa (continent)
Akan (historical region)
Creation Place 1
Africa (continent)
Creation Place 2
Akan (historical region)
Dimensions
4.2 cm x 4.1 cm x 1 cm (1 5/8 in. x 1 5/8 in. x 3/8 in.)
Primary Object Classification
Metalwork
Primary Object Type
goldweight
Physical Description
Goldweight in the shape of an upside-down, U-shaped fish, of unknown species, with a bifurcated tail, a series of small spiraling circles along its spine, a long neck with horizontal incisions and a stylized human head with eyes, nose and mouth.
Subject Matter
This is an example of a figurative gold weight, as they were used among the Akan-speaking peoples of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to weigh out units of gold dust. Representations of fish are common in Akan gold weights; this particular example might represent an imaginary fish or the invisible spirit of the water itself. As a rule, the various spirits, gods, and divinities inhabiting the Akan universe, such as the spirit of the water, have no material form and cannot be seen. However, they have the ability to take on a human or animal form (or a combination of both) and make themselves visible to privileged members of the village community on special occasions.
Primary Keywords
fish
ghana (nation)
Rights
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Technical Details

Image Size
3888 x 2592
File Size
168 KB
Record
1986/1.202
Link to this Item
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1986-sl-1.202/1986_1.202.jpg

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Manifest
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1986-SL-1.202:1986_1.202.JPG

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Full citation
"Goldweight in the shape of a fish; Artist Unknown, African, Akan-Speaking Peoples, Ghana or Côte d'Ivoire." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1986-sl-1.202/1986_1.202.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 28, 2024.
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