Gold-weight
Akan
Description
Subject Matter:
Geometric gold-weight in the form of what may be an amulet/charm called safi or sebe in Twi, the Akan language spoken in Ghana. A safi or sebe is an Islamic amulet adopted by Akan-speaking peoples around the 14th century (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). These amulets or charms were considered powerful due to their connection with the written word, which was, in and of itself, thought to be magical. Such amulets were very popular, used ward off all evils but sickness and natural death (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014).
Physical Description:
Gold-weight in the shape of a flat hexagon with a raised line bisecting the base at its widest point. On one side of the line there are three straight lines that meet at a common point; on the other side of the line there is an arch vertically bisected by a straight line. One of the recesses in the arch appears to have been filled in with some form of metal, possibly lead.
Usage Rights:
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