Gold-weight
Akan
Description
Subject Matter:
Gold-weight in the shape of a rectangular shield (ekyem), decorated with a crotal bell (donnomma) at each end (cf. British Museum object number Af1906,0701.65). Shields are a common form of weight, where most depict wicker or hide-covered shields that typically include bells (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, p.113; Philips, African Goldweights, p.110). Gold-weights are often illustrations of famous Akan proverbs. One proverb associated with shields states: 'Though the woman weaves the shield it is kept in the mans' quarters", meaning though a woman maybe skilled, she is still under the protection of a man; referring to the weaving of shields as women's craft (cf. Phillips, African Goldweights, pp. 108-109). Another proverb associated with shields states: 'If you have a shield and if you strike yourself with it thirty times, we don’t blame you' (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights).
Physical Description:
Gold-weight in the shape of a rectangle with a central raised bar covered in four small spirals with a semi-circle shaped handle at each end. On both sides of the central bar there are four raised triangles decorated with diagonal lines.
Usage Rights:
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.