West African Akan Gold Weight
Weighs approx: 9.2 oz. Measures approx: 3 ½ “ tall, oval base is approx : 1 ½ “ x 3 “. Most likely a rough, later period (late 1800’s) type. Made from metal (brass?) and is a depiction of what I believe to be a “medicine-man” from their local culture. These were known as gold weights, because they were used to measure gold nugget & gold dust, as that was their local currency at that time. Earlier weights were finer, and simpler, mostly geometric in style and design. Later weights exhibited human traits, including animal forms as well, etc…
Weighs approx: 9.2 oz. Measures approx: 3 ½ “ tall, oval base is approx : 1 ½ “ x 3 “. Most likely a rough, later period (late 1800’s) type. Made from metal (brass?) and is a depiction of what I believe to be a “medicine-man” from their local culture. These were known as gold weights, because they were used to measure gold nugget & gold dust, as that was their local currency at that time. Earlier weights were finer, and simpler, mostly geometric in style and design. Later weights exhibited human traits, including animal forms as well, etc…
Weighs approx: 9.2 oz. Measures approx: 3 ½ “ tall, oval base is approx : 1 ½ “ x 3 “. Most likely a rough, later period (late 1800’s) type. Made from metal (brass?) and is a depiction of what I believe to be a “medicine-man” from their local culture. These were known as gold weights, because they were used to measure gold nugget & gold dust, as that was their local currency at that time. Earlier weights were finer, and simpler, mostly geometric in style and design. Later weights exhibited human traits, including animal forms as well, etc…