tiny gold weights (40)
00
days
13
hours
03
minutes
47
seconds
Current bid
€ 70
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
 | €70 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €65 | |
| €60 | |
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A set of 40 traditional Akan-Ashanti goldweights from Ghana or Côte d’Ivoire, made of bronze and brass and dating from the 19th century or earlier, with a total weight of 325 g.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
This extensive, authentic, and highly homogeneous collection comprises a set of 40 traditional West African gold weights, locally also referred to as abramboo or mrammowo. The objects originate from within the historical spheres of influence of the Akan and Ashanti kingdoms, located in present-day Ghana and neighboring Ivory Coast. These specific weights date from the 19th century or earlier and formed the hub of the thriving regional gold trade. They were intensively used by traders and clan chiefs as calibrated measuring instruments for precisely weighing valuable gold dust, which until the official prohibition by the British colonial authorities around the year 1900 constituted the region’s primary currency.
Each individual weight in this lot testifies to pure artisanal mastery and is hand-made using the so-called lost-wax casting method (cire perdue). Because the clay mold had to be broken open after pouring the liquid copper alloy to reveal the solidified bronze and brass, every piece in this collection is a unique, non-reproducible work of art. The collection stands out for its varied and deep patina of age, bearing witness to decades of intensive commercial use, ranging from deep, dark chocolate brown to the characteristic green hues of natural copper oxidation.
What makes this specific set especially fascinating is the rich variety of incised geometric decorations, engravings, crosses, and parallel lines. Within Akan culture, these abstract motifs were by no means arbitrary; they served as visual carriers of cultural-historical identity and frequently referred to traditional Adinkra proverbs, moral laws, or spiritual wisdom. With a substantial total weight of 325 grams, this collection possesses a historically very accurate mass, where the individual weights harmonize perfectly with the African and European weight standards used at the time, such as the suru and the dju. The entire set is in excellent, unrestored, original condition, with mild wear to the corners and edges beautifully underscoring the historical character and authenticity of these tribal artefacts.
Thickest and heaviest
Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.5 x 2.3 cm
Weight: 45 g
Largest in length and width
Dimensions: 0.4 x 3 x 2.5 cm
Weight: 21 g
This extensive, authentic, and highly homogeneous collection comprises a set of 40 traditional West African gold weights, locally also referred to as abramboo or mrammowo. The objects originate from within the historical spheres of influence of the Akan and Ashanti kingdoms, located in present-day Ghana and neighboring Ivory Coast. These specific weights date from the 19th century or earlier and formed the hub of the thriving regional gold trade. They were intensively used by traders and clan chiefs as calibrated measuring instruments for precisely weighing valuable gold dust, which until the official prohibition by the British colonial authorities around the year 1900 constituted the region’s primary currency.
Each individual weight in this lot testifies to pure artisanal mastery and is hand-made using the so-called lost-wax casting method (cire perdue). Because the clay mold had to be broken open after pouring the liquid copper alloy to reveal the solidified bronze and brass, every piece in this collection is a unique, non-reproducible work of art. The collection stands out for its varied and deep patina of age, bearing witness to decades of intensive commercial use, ranging from deep, dark chocolate brown to the characteristic green hues of natural copper oxidation.
What makes this specific set especially fascinating is the rich variety of incised geometric decorations, engravings, crosses, and parallel lines. Within Akan culture, these abstract motifs were by no means arbitrary; they served as visual carriers of cultural-historical identity and frequently referred to traditional Adinkra proverbs, moral laws, or spiritual wisdom. With a substantial total weight of 325 grams, this collection possesses a historically very accurate mass, where the individual weights harmonize perfectly with the African and European weight standards used at the time, such as the suru and the dju. The entire set is in excellent, unrestored, original condition, with mild wear to the corners and edges beautifully underscoring the historical character and authenticity of these tribal artefacts.
Thickest and heaviest
Dimensions: 1.3 x 2.5 x 2.3 cm
Weight: 45 g
Largest in length and width
Dimensions: 0.4 x 3 x 2.5 cm
Weight: 21 g
Details
Type
tiny gold weights
Number of objects
40
Material
Brass, Bronze
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Height
0.4 cm
Width
3 cm
Depth
2.5 cm
