Gold Weight

1969.05.0008

Thumbnail of Gold Weight (1969.05.0008)

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Basic Information

Artifact Identification Gold Weight   (1969.05.0008)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Science & Technology T&E
  2. :
  3. Weights & Measures T&E
  4. :
  5. N/A
Artist/Maker None
Geographic Location
Period/Date Nationalist, Mid 20th century
Culture Asante, Ashanti, Akan
Location On Exhibitin the Africa exhibit

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Length) 1.5 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 1.3 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) 0.5 cm
Weight 6.5 g
Measuring Remarks None
Materials Metal--Bronze
Manufacturing Processes Cast
Munsell Color Information Dark Olive Brown (2.5 Y 2/2) -ns

Research Remarks

Published Description

WEIGHING THE GOLD: The gold weights of the Ashanti were part of the international trade routes. The gold rich Ashanti used these weights, made of wood, seeds or metal, to weigh gold dust for domestic and foreign trade for commodities like salt. Gold weights were a part of every businessman's equipment. (21) Geometric gold weights came in many sizes to weigh out precise measures of gold. Brass. 69.5.1, 6-11.

Description N/A
Comparanda N/A
Bibliography

Cole, Herbert M. and Doran H. Ross. The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles: University of California, 1977. de Kolb, Eric. Ashanti Goldweights.Gallery d’Hautbarr. New York, NY: 1968.

Artifact History

Archaeological Data N/A
Credit Line/Dedication Gift of Oscar H. Dodson
Reproduction no
Reproduction Information N/A

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