Skip to main content

Gold-weight

Akan

Artwork Details

Gold-weight
1900-1985
Akan
brass
1 5/16 in x 1/2 in x 1/2 in (3.3 cm x 1.2 cm x 1.2 cm)
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
1997/1.509

Description

Subject Matter:

Gold-weight in the shape of what could possibly be the handle or pommel of a sword or saber. This highly decorated bar-bell shaped handle is commonly attached to representations of swords, called afena in Twi (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). 

Physical Description:

Gold-weight in the shape of two balls decorated with a pattern of lines, connected by a short cylindrical rod decorated with intersecting lines and dots. At the end of one ball there is a small conical protrusion.

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.