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Gold-weight (abrammuo): male figure

Arts of Africa

Gold was extremely important in the economic and political life of the Akan kingdoms of southern Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Until the mid-nineteenth century, gold dust was the primary form of currency in the region. In order to measure precise amounts of gold, an elaborate system of weights, usually made of cast brass, developed by the seventeenth century. Gold weights took many forms: simple geometric shapes; animals, such as leopards or birds; objects, such as chairs or swords; and human figures. The figures, animals, and objects are often associated with proverbs. The sankofa bird, with head turned backward, represents the proverb “One must turn to the past to move forward.”
CULTURE Asante
MEDIUM Cast brass
  • Place Made: Ashanti Region, Ghana
  • DATES 19th century
    DIMENSIONS 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (4.4 x 3.8 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
    ACCESSION NUMBER 74.218.62
    CREDIT LINE The Franklin H. Williams Collection of Ashanti Brass Weights and Accessory Objects for Weighing Gold, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1974, provenance not yet documented; by 1974, acquired by Franklin Hall Williams and Shirley Broyard Williams of New York, NY; December 31, 1974, gift of Franklin Hall Williams and Shirley Broyard Williams to the Brooklyn Museum.
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    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Cast brass weight in shape of a warrior holding a gun on his left side. His right arm is raised and hand touches abdomen. His coiffure is composed of seven coiled knobs. Condition: Good.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Asante. Gold-weight (abrammuo): male figure, 19th century. Cast brass, 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (4.4 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Franklin H. Williams Collection of Ashanti Brass Weights and Accessory Objects for Weighing Gold, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams, 74.218.62. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.218.62_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 74.218.62_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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