Gold-weight (abrammuo): elephant
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.”
MEDIUM
Brass
DATES
19th or 20th century
DIMENSIONS
1 11/16 x 3 3/4 in. (4.3 x 9.5 cm)
mount: 5 × 3 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. (12.7 × 8.9 × 4.4 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
67.25.15
CREDIT LINE
Bequest of Laura L. Barnes
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Hollow elephant gold weight, trunk juts between large crescent tusks, raised eyes, large spiral ears, double-crescent tail, semi-circular elements in groups of trees on flat feet. Opening at stomach.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Akan. Gold-weight (abrammuo): elephant, 19th or 20th century. Brass, 1 11/16 x 3 3/4 in. (4.3 x 9.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Laura L. Barnes, 67.25.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.25.15_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 67.25.15_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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