Description:

West Africa, Central Ghana, Ashanti culture, ca. 19th century CE. Four bronze weights produced via the lost wax process, one cast as an alligator/crocodile, with intricately incised scales, a jagged tail, four outspread legs, and an ovoid head with an open mouth and incised round eyes. The others are of rectangular forms with abstract linear motifs, perhaps representing textile motifs. Weights have been used to measure gold dust since the pre-European 1400s. According to the African Art Museum "The Ashanti are credited, however, with introducing representational art to this genre—so anything depicting a person or animal, post-1700, can rightly be called an Ashanti gold weight." Gold was a focus of Asante art and their belief system. Gold entered the Asante court via war or tribute and was used to create ceremonial objects and jewelry by artisans from conquered lands. Hence, the court’s power was displayed through its regulation of the regional gold trade. Size: crocodile weight measures 2.5" L (6.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex Material Culture, Bob Brand collection.

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#114024

  • Condition: Old losses to peripheries of rectangular bar form weights. Crocodile/alligator is intact

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October 27, 2016 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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