Goldweight / Artist Unknown, African, Akan-Speaking Peoples, Ghana or Côte d'Ivoire

About this Item

Accession Number: 1997/1.509
Title: Goldweight
Artist: Artist Unknown, African, Akan-Speaking Peoples, Ghana or Côte d'Ivoire
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: 3.3 cm x 1.2 cm x 1.2 cm (1 5/16 in. x 1/2 in. x 1/2 in.)
Century: 20th century
Primary Object Classification: Metalwork
Primary Object Type: goldweight
Physical Description: Goldweight in the shape of two balls, connected by a short stick and with a small pin at one side, covered in a geometrical pattern of lines and triangles.
Subject Matter: This goldweight might represent the 'base' of a sword or saber (also called a "pommel"), as representations of swords and sabers are a common motif in Akan goldweights. Alternatively, the design might be intended to evoke a more abstract object, possibly an amulet or other religious object.
Primary Keywords: ghana (nation)
Secondary Keywords: africa (continent); geographic and political locations; 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.

Collection: University of Michigan Museum of Art
Image Size: 3888 x 2592
File Size: 127 KB
Record: 1997/1.509
Link to this Item: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1997-sl-1.509/1997_1.509.jpg

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1997-SL-1.509:1997_1.509.JPG

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Full citation: "Goldweight; 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-1.509/1997_1.509.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 19, 2024.