West Africa, Ghana, Ashanti culture, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A collection of 32 cast brass weights for measuring gold, all an interesting array of sizes and shapes and a single brass saint medal. Most of the weights have flat profiles with raised or incised designs. Many are circular with overlapping discs or half discs with spiraling motifs. Several are rectangular with raised linear motifs, and a few are trapezoidal shaped with leaf-like veins. Three have loops or hooks from bent wires which could be worn as pendants or suspended. Included is a brass Christian medallion depicting Saint Bernard, patron saint of skiers and hikers, with the French inscription "St. Bernard, protect our skiers." This may have been part of a rosary or a lone pendant. Size of largest: 1.52" L x 1.25" W (3.9 cm x 3.2 cm)
Provenance: private Southern California collection, California, USA, acquired through descent 2006; ex-private California collection, USA, before 2000
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#134023
Condition
Chips and nicks, and some perforations and tearing to thinner brass weights. Patina and toning on all. Included St. Bernard pendant shows same signs of age and patina and some softening to details.