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1987.33.30

Copper alloy weight in for weighing gold in the form of a curved elephant tusk trumpet. [MJD 19/04/2011]

1987.33.30

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Collection type
Object
Description
Copper alloy weight in for weighing gold in the form of a curved elephant tusk trumpet. [MJD 19/04/2011]
Geographical reference
Ghana
Africa > Western Africa > Ghana
Ashanti
Cultural groups
Asante
Person
Field collector Phyllis Theodora Evans
PRM source Beryl Evans
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1987
Date collected
By 1987
Acquisition information
Donated: 10/1987
Materials and processes
Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Lost Wax Cast
Dimensions
Length 41 mm, Weight 9 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1987.33.30
Research and responses

According to de Kolb (1968) Ashanti Goldweights No.1, Gallery d'Hautbarr: New York, page 53 the story relating to the horn trumpet is 'Warhorns: Representing ivory warhorns, hung with human mandibles. Women are not allowed to touch or carry a horn. Most of the mandibles are used for prestigious trimming and are oddly treated - the bone itself is not white and clean, but still stuck with bits of human flesh and dried to a leathery brown'. [MJD 24/06/2011]

Search terms: Measurement, Model, Music, Gold Weight, Musical Instrument, Trumpet