West Africa, Ghana, Ashanti culture, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A collection of 32 cast brass scale weights for measuring gold. The majority are the style of circular and hemispherical shapes with overlapping discs or half discs and spiraling motifs, one of the more popular styles of forms in Ashanti culture. Several are angular trapezoidal shapes with raised veins like leaves or palm fronds. Two have integral loops for suspension, perhaps as pendants. The larger disc and other flattened pieces are hammered from brass sheets and decorated with incised motifs and repousse stippling. Adinkra are symbols in Ghana that represent proverbs or ideas, and these weights are cast into specific shapes to indicate these Adinkra aphorisms. Size (largest disc): 2.75" Diameter (7 cm); (smallest hemispherical piece): 1.125" L x 0.65" W (2.9 cm x 1.7 cm)
Provenance: private Southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, before 2000
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#134020
Condition
Minor nicks and chips to most. Small pin hole perforations through several and tears to peripheries. Dark and green patina on all.