Akan. Gold-weight (abrammuo): bird, 19th–20th century. Cast brass, 1 1/8 x 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (2.9 x 1.3 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams, 88.192.99. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.192.99_side1_PS6.jpg)
Akan. Gold-weight (abrammuo): bird, 19th–20th century. Cast brass, 1 1/8 x 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (2.9 x 1.3 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams, 88.192.99. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.192.99_side2_PS6.jpg)
Gold-weight (abrammuo): bird
Arts of Africa
Gold was extremely important in the economic and political life of the Akan kingdoms of southern Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Until the mid-nineteenth century, gold dust was the primary form of currency in the region. In order to measure precise amounts of gold, an elaborate system of weights, usually made of cast brass, developed by the seventeenth century. Gold weights took many forms: simple geometric shapes; animals, such as leopards or birds; objects, such as chairs or swords; and human figures. The figures, animals, and objects are often associated with proverbs. The sankofa bird, with head turned backward, represents the proverb “One must turn to the past to move forward.”
CULTURE
Akan
MEDIUM
Cast brass
DATES
19th–20th century
DIMENSIONS
1 1/8 x 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (2.9 x 1.3 x 3.8 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.192.99
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1981, provenance not yet documented; between 1961 and 1981, acquired by Franklin Hall Williams and Shirley Broyard Williams of New York, NY; 1988, gift of Franklin Hall Williams and Shirley Broyard Williams to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Angular bird-like creature with triangular head. Ridge with serrated edge projects from top of head along sides of body. Small metal triangle extends from rear, depicting tail. CONDITION: Accumulations of blue copper corrosion over surface of weight.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Akan. Gold-weight (abrammuo): bird, 19th–20th century. Cast brass, 1 1/8 x 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (2.9 x 1.3 x 3.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin H. Williams, 88.192.99. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.192.99_side1_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
profile, 88.192.99_side1_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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