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Gold-weight

Akan

Artwork Details

Gold-weight
20th century
Akan
brass
1 9/16 in x 1 5/16 in x 3/8 in (4 cm x 3.4 cm x 0.9 cm)
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.458

Tags

Description

Subject Matter:

Figurative gold-weight in the form of what may be a double-bladed sword, called afenatene in Twi, with part of the handle missing (cf. British Museum object number Af1906,0701.62). Called the sword of kingship or the long sword, this kind of sword used to be displayed near the chief when sitting in state within the palace (Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014; MacLeod, The Asante, 1981, pp. 91-92). 

Physical Description:

Gold-weight in the shape of two curved blades facing in opposite directions attached to a ball. 

Usage Rights:

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