Akan. Gold Weight in Form of Sankofa Bird. Brass, 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (2.5 x 7 x 3.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 45.11.5. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 45.11.5_right_PS22.jpg)
Akan. Gold Weight in Form of Sankofa Bird. Brass, 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (2.5 x 7 x 3.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 45.11.5. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 45.11.5_left_PS22.jpg)
Akan. Gold Weight in Form of Sankofa Bird. Brass, 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (2.5 x 7 x 3.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 45.11.5. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.44.231.13_44.231.15_44.231.17-.20_44.231.31_44.231.34_44.231.5_44.4.5_44.4.6_45.11.5_print_bw.jpg)
Gold Weight in Form of Sankofa Bird
Arts of Africa
About this Brooklyn Icon
The Brooklyn Museum is commemorating its 200th anniversary by spotlighting 200 standout objects in its encyclopedic collection.
During the 17th century, the Akan kingdoms in modern-day Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire—including the Asante empire, a powerful Akan stronghold—were members of a complex trading network that connected North, East, and West Africa. Merchants used mrammuo (gold weights) as counterbalances for gold dust, the Akan currency. This example depicts a mythical sankofa bird, with its head turned backward. A prominent symbol in the adinkra writing system used by the Akan peoples of Ghana, the sankofa bird visually represents an Akan proverb in Twi: “Sε wo werε fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri,” loosely meaning “return and get it.” This proverb underscores the importance of taking past experiences into consideration.
A seasoned Akan merchant would have had a full trading set for measuring gold dust, including scales, spoons, storage, and a complete weight family. Made from copper alloy or brass using the lost-wax casting method, weights created between circa 1500–1700 C.E. often feature geometric motifs that represent Akan proverbs and concepts.
The Brooklyn Museum has a significant holding of Akan trading sets dating from the 15th to 20th century. This mrammuo was featured in two important long-term installations at the Museum: African Innovations (2014) and Double Take: African Innovations (2018), which marked the first time that the Museum focused on a historical overview of the Arts of Africa collection.
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Gallery Label
This mrammuo (gold weight) depicts a mythical sankofa bird with its head turned backward. A prominent adinkra symbol, the sankofa bird is a representation of the Akan proverb in Twi, “Sɛ wo werɛ fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri,” loosely meaning “return and get it.” This proverb underscores the importance of taking past experiences into consideration.
The Brooklyn Museum is commemorating its 200th anniversary by spotlighting 200 standout objects in its encyclopedic collection.
During the 17th century, the Akan kingdoms in modern-day Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire—including the Asante empire, a powerful Akan stronghold—were members of a complex trading network that connected North, East, and West Africa. Merchants used mrammuo (gold weights) as counterbalances for gold dust, the Akan currency. This example depicts a mythical sankofa bird, with its head turned backward. A prominent symbol in the adinkra writing system used by the Akan peoples of Ghana, the sankofa bird visually represents an Akan proverb in Twi: “Sε wo werε fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri,” loosely meaning “return and get it.” This proverb underscores the importance of taking past experiences into consideration.
A seasoned Akan merchant would have had a full trading set for measuring gold dust, including scales, spoons, storage, and a complete weight family. Made from copper alloy or brass using the lost-wax casting method, weights created between circa 1500–1700 C.E. often feature geometric motifs that represent Akan proverbs and concepts.
The Brooklyn Museum has a significant holding of Akan trading sets dating from the 15th to 20th century. This mrammuo was featured in two important long-term installations at the Museum: African Innovations (2014) and Double Take: African Innovations (2018), which marked the first time that the Museum focused on a historical overview of the Arts of Africa collection.
***
Gallery Label
This mrammuo (gold weight) depicts a mythical sankofa bird with its head turned backward. A prominent adinkra symbol, the sankofa bird is a representation of the Akan proverb in Twi, “Sɛ wo werɛ fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri,” loosely meaning “return and get it.” This proverb underscores the importance of taking past experiences into consideration.
CULTURE
Akan
MEDIUM
Brass
DIMENSIONS
1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (2.5 x 7 x 3.2 cm)
mount: 3 × 1 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (7.6 × 3.2 × 3.8 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
45.11.5
CREDIT LINE
Carll H. de Silver Fund
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1945, provenance not yet documented; by 1945, acquired by Julius Carlebach of New York, NY; February 15, 1945, purchased from Julius Carlebach by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Gold weight in the form of a sankofa bird
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Akan. Gold Weight in Form of Sankofa Bird. Brass, 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (2.5 x 7 x 3.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 45.11.5. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 45.11.5_right_PS22.jpg)
IMAGE
right, 45.11.5_right_PS22.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2024
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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