Gold Dust Balance Scale

1992.16.0001

Thumbnail of Gold Dust Balance Scale (1992.16.0001)

Detailed Images

Basic Information

Artifact Identification Gold Dust Balance Scale   (1992.16.0001)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Science & Technology T&E
  2. :
  3. Weights & Measures T&E
  4. :
  5. N/A
Artist/Maker None
Geographic Location
Period/Date Colonial, Pre – 1908
Culture Asante, Ashanti, Akan
Location On Exhibitin the Africa exhibit

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Height) 16.0 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 13.9 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) 5.0 cm
Weight 9 g
Measuring Remarks D1 is from the fulcrum to the tray. D2 is the length of the level. D3 is the diameter of the trays.
Materials Metal--Copper
Manufacturing Processes Cast, Forging
Munsell Color Information Dark Grayish Olive (5 Y 2/2) -ns

Research Remarks

Published Description

OLD LABEL (CAME WITH PURCHASE): THE ASHANTI TRIBE OF GHANA USED GOLD DUST AND NUGGETS AS A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE FOR TWO CENTURIES, UNTIL THE BRITISH STOPPED IT IN 1908. THE GOLD WAS MEASURED AND TRANSFERRED USING SCOOPS AND SPOONS, THEN WEIGHED USING SIMPLE PAN SCALES AND SMALL BRASS WEIGHTS WHICH TOOK GEOMETRIC FORMS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATION OF HUMANS, TOOLS, WEAPONS, ETC. THESE ARE ALL AUTHENTIC PRE- 1908 PIECES. Purchased from Mike and Lynn Noel.

Description N/A
Comparanda N/A
Bibliography

Cole, Herbert M. and Doran H. Ross. The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles: University of California, 1977.

Artifact History

Archaeological Data N/A
Credit Line/Dedication Purchase
Reproduction no
Reproduction Information N/A

Share What You Know!

The Spurlock Museum actively seeks opportunities to improve what we know and record about our collections. If you have knowledge about this object, please get in touch with our Registration staff by using the form below. Please note that we cannot give appraisals, provide any information related to the value of any party's collections, or authenticate artifacts.

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter comments you would like to share about the artifact.

All fields are required.