Animal Gold Weight

Bronze Gold Weight. 18th/19th Century. Akan, Ghana

This finely cast Akan gold weight depicts a leopard, decorated with fine spiral designs, catching a tortoise. Bronze Akan gold weights were made by Akan goldsmiths from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century in a variety of styles, for the purpose of measuring gold dust for the Akan royalty. Akan gold weights are miniature marvels with the intricacy of their casting.

Gold weights could also be worn as charms to cure ailments, gifted with dowries of gold dust or sent as pertinent messages. Proverbs depicted in the form of the weight could provide a piece of advice, recall a debt, serve as a warning or token of friendship.

Estimated Period: 19th Century (Or Before)

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‍Reference

National Museums Scotland, Gold Weights from Ghana