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1938.18.626

Copper alloy weight for weighing gold in the form of a horn trumpet. [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 11/03/2011]

1938.18.626

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Collection type
Object
Description
Copper alloy weight for weighing gold in the form of a horn trumpet. [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 11/03/2011]
Geographical reference
Ghana
Africa > Western Africa > Ghana
Ashanti
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1938
Date collected
By 1938
Acquisition information
Bequeathed: 1938
Materials and processes
Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Lost Wax Cast
Dimensions
Width: max 17 mm, Length: max 39 mm, Weight 7 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1938.18.626
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, Music, Gold Weight, Musical Instrument, Trumpet