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2000.6.41

Brass weight used for measuring gold; Stylised animal figure; two crocodiles joined at the torso forming a cross.

On display

2000.6.41

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Collection type
Object
Description
Brass weight used for measuring gold; Stylised animal figure; two crocodiles joined at the torso forming a cross.
Geographical reference
Ghana
Africa > Western Africa > Ghana
Ashanti Province
Cultural groups
Asante
Person
Field collector Bernard Schottlander
PRM source Sara Hicks
Date / Period
Date made: Before 2000
Date collected
By 2000
Acquisition information
Bequeathed: 2000
Materials and processes
Material Brass Metal, Process Lost Wax Cast
Dimensions
Width 63 mm, Length 65 mm, Weight 32 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 2000.6.41
Research and responses

This object resembles one illustrated in M W Plass, African Miniatures The Goldweights of the Ashanti, London : Percy Lund, Humphries & Co Ltd, 1967, pl. 87; She calls this design a "Proverb weight: 'A family has many throats but only one belly' translated by Capt. Rattray as 'Bellies mixed up, crocodiles mixed up, we have between us only one belly; if we get anything to eat it passes down our respective gullets'. This proverb is reputedly quoted when there is any falling away of family unity." [LP 10/9/2001]

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