Goldweight in the shape of a crocodile / Artist Unknown, African, Akan-Speaking Peoples, Ghana or Côte d'Ivoire
About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1997/1.508
- Title
- Goldweight in the shape of a crocodile
- 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)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
- Dimensions
- 4.6 cm x 1.2 cm x 1.1 cm (1 13/16 in. x 1/2 in. x 7/16 in.)
- Century
- 20th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Metalwork
- Primary Object Type
- goldweight
- Physical Description
- Goldweight in the shape of a crocodile.
- Subject Matter
- Crocodiles are a common form for the goldweights that have been used and produced by the Akan-speaking peoples of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire since the 15th century. In fact, the representation of crocodiles is by no means restricted to weights and is seen on many other Akan art forms as well, particularly those associated with the king, the queen-mother, and the court. Indeed, crocodiles often stand for the king himself-- both are thought to have a versatile character. A number of proverbs relate to crocodiles as well, such as: "The crocodile is in the water but it also breathes air" and "The great (or old) crocodile swallows a stone every year." The latter might either be interpreted as a proverb, meaning that misfortune comes every year and must be accepted as a part of life, or as a royal appellation, in which the king is compared to a great crocodile.
- Secondary Keywords
- africa (continent)
- animals and creatures
- geographic and political locations
- goldweights
- objects we use
- reptiles
- sculpture
- sculpture by subject type
- statues
- visual works
- visual works by medium or technique
- 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
- Record
- 1997/1.508
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1997-sl-1.508/1997_1_508.jpg
Rights and Permissions
Cite this Item
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- Full citation
-
"Goldweight in the shape of a crocodile; 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-1997-sl-1.508/1997_1_508.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 18, 2024.
