Goldweight Depicting an Antelope

Description

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.

Provenance

George Stoecklin (died 1997), Golfe-Juan, France, by 1978 [see correspondence with Jean Britt in curatorial file]; sold to Raymond E. Britt, Jr. (died 2004), Britt Family Collection, Chicago, Ill., 1978; given to the Art Institute, 1978.

Goldweight Depicting an Antelope

Asante

19th/mid–20th century

Accession Number

53983

Medium

Copper alloy

Dimensions

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

Classification

gold-weight

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of the Britt Family Collection