Gold-weight
Akan
Description
Subject Matter:
Geometric gold-weight with a stylized leaf design, possibly an aya (fern) leaf (cf. British Museum object number Af1982,09.111). When pronounced in the Twi language with a slightly different tone, the word ya, meaning abuse, is produced. From such word play, this pattern symbolizes that those conducting business with someone of authority should speak politely.
See: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/online_research_catalogues/agw/african_gold-weights.aspx
Sheales, Fiona, African Goldweights, London, BMP, 2014
Physical Description:
Gold-weight in the shape of a square with raised, nested perpendicular lines surrounding a set of three raised bars in one corner.
Usage Rights:
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