Description:

**Previously listed at 400**

Western Africa, Ashanti (Asante) people, 18th to 19th century CE. This is a group of four animal-shaped brass objects for weighing gold. The largest is a bird; the others are a lizard, a lion-like creature, and a ram. As gold weights, they have to be extremely precise; this was controlled for using molds. Some of the more elaborate designs seem to have been made to adjust weight (ie, some hollow spots in case they needed to be filled with molten metal later to meet a weight standard). Many adult men possessed their own sets of weights which were passed down through their family, highlighting the incredible importance of gold to the Ashanti. Size: 2.6" W x 3.1" H (6.6 cm x 7.9 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Paul & Louise Bernheimer collection, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA.

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#111946

  • Condition: Patina on all, but shapes are clear

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February 27, 2017 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000