Gold Dust Balance Scale
1992.16.0001
Detailed Images
Basic Information
| Artifact Identification | Gold Dust Balance Scale (1992.16.0001) |
|---|---|
| Classification/ Nomenclature |
Science & Technology T&E : Weights & Measures T&E : N/A |
| Artist/Maker | None |
| Geographic Location | Africa, West, Ghana |
| 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 |