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1938.18.671

Copper alloy weight for weighing gold in the form of a fruit. [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 24/01/2011]

1938.18.671

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Collection type
Object
Description
Copper alloy weight for weighing gold in the form of a fruit. [MJD DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 24/01/2011]
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 13 mm, Length: max 49 mm, Weight 77 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1938.18.671
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 24/01/2011]

Search terms: Measurement, Food and Drink, Gold Weight, Food

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