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Goldweight Depicting an Antelope

A work made of copper alloy.

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  • A work made of copper alloy.

Date:

19th/mid–20th century

Artist:

Asante or related Akan-speaking peoples
Ghana
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Akan gold weights were cast in a variety of forms—depicting humans, animals, plants, and artifacts in addition to a variety of abstract and geometric motifs. Only a few centimeters in size, these weights were used for measuring gold dust, the currency in Ghana and the Côte d’Ivoire from the 15th century to the end of the 19th century. This gold weight is in the shape of an antelope. The animal’s horns curve backward and each of its hooves points forward. One of its legs is missing, which may have been lost by accident or by an intentional act by a merchant in a desperate attempt to balance the scale.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Asante

Title

Goldweight Depicting an Antelope

Place

Ghana (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1800–1975

Medium

Copper alloy

Dimensions

3.2 × 1.1 × 2.8 cm (1/4 × 1/2 × 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of the Britt Family Collection

Reference Number

1978.892

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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