Gold-weight
Akan
Description
Subject Matter:
Figurative gold-weight in the form of a sword with a hooked blade, called afena in Twi. During the 16th century, the use of swords was first recorded and they have played an important part in ritual and ceremonial contexts ever since. The curved, flat blade commonly found on Akan swords may have come from similar Islamic weapons that were carried along trans-Saharan trade routes (cf. Sheales, African Goldweights, 2014). In the 18th and 19th centuries, swords became increasingly elaborate to show the status and power of Akan officials. This allowed for internal and external communication in royal courts, as sword-bearers were sometimes sent to other courts as ambassadors (cf. McLeod, The Asante, 1981, pp. 88-90). These state or ceremonial swords are part of a king's regalia, but since the early 20th century, the role of swords has declined and today they remain in use as items of display (cf. McLeod, The Asante, 1981, p. 94).
Physical Description:
Gold-weight in the shape of a wide, flat blade with a curved hook at one end and a handle in the form of two balls connected by a narrow rod with a small ball the end.
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