Brass weight used for measuring gold; Stylised animal figure; two crocodiles joined at the torso forming a cross. Both holding parts of a fish in the mouth.

Collection type: Object
Description: Brass weight used for measuring gold; Stylised animal figure; two crocodiles joined at the torso forming a cross. Both holding parts of a fish in the mouth.
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 53 mm, Length 53 mm, Weight 24.7 g
Object numbers: Accession number: 2000.6.42
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]