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Gold-weight

Akan

Artwork Details

Gold-weight
20th century
Akan
brass
1/4 in x 13/16 in (0.7 cm x 2 cm)
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.494

Description

Subject Matter:

Geometric gold-weight in the form of a solid polyhedron. This shape of gold-weight dates back to the 15th century, but has also been made in later periods as well (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, 1980, 276). It is characteristically Islamic and was adopted from North Africa and the Near East. Polyhedron shaped weights even date back to ancient Egypt and ancient Rome, with similar weights excavated from Pompeii (cf. Garrard, Akan Weights and the Gold Trade, 1980, p. 276; Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). 

Physical Description:

Gold-weight in the shape of a solid polyhedron. 

Usage Rights:

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