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1934.71.37

Copper alloy weight for weighing gold, in the shape of a crab claw. [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 10/12/2010]

1934.71.37

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Collection type
Object
Description
Copper alloy weight for weighing gold, in the shape of a crab claw. [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 10/12/2010]
Geographical reference
Ghana
Africa > Western Africa > Ghana
Cultural groups
Asante
Person
Field collector F.W. Ensor
PRM source Violet Ensor
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1900
Date collected
circa 1900
Acquisition information
Purchased: 1934
Materials and processes
Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Lost Wax Cast
Dimensions
Length: max 44 mm, Width: max 24 mm, Weight 40.65 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1934.71.37
Research and responses

According to de Kolb (1968) Ashanti Goldweights No.1, Gallery d'Hautbarr: New York, in the introduction: 'A variation of the 'Cire perdue' casting practiced by the Ashanti quite often and successfully, is the 'lost beetle' process. Instead of a wax model, the body of a beetle, the claw of a crab, the foot of a fowl, a peanut, a chestnut, etc. was used.' [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 10/12/2010]

Search terms: Measurement, Figure, Gold Weight, Animal Figure