Collection: Akan Goldweights
From ancient times, people have made jewelry and other valuable objects from gold that was found in the mines controlled by the Akan people (Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa).
One of the most important pieces of African art is Akan goldweights (ABRAMMUO).
These incredible, unique items were developed and used by merchants and rulers of the Akan (Ashanti/Asante) tribes to better control and regulate the trading of gold dust (the currency of the region at the time). The goldweight was placed on one side of a balance scale (NSENIA) and the gold-dust was scooped onto the other side using a brass spoon (NSAWA or ATERE).
Akan goldweights were made in sets. Owning a complete set of weights would immensely increase your status with the other Akan people. Sometimes, these sets were provided as gifts to men that were newly wed.
Akan goldweights were made from imported brass, using the lost wax casting technique. Wax is first sculpted into the desired shape. Then, the mold was pressed around the wax model. In doing so, the mold heated up and the wax drained out, leaving a void in the shape of the original wax model. Then, melded liquid brass was poured into the mold and allowed to set. Once set, the caster broke the mold and retrieved the ready gold weight.
Earlier samples (1400 AD) were cast with geometric designs, and later goldweights (1700 AD) were made also in figurative imagery of proverbs and stories of the Akan people and cultural items, such as Adinkra symbols, plants and wild and domestic animals.
Below, check out our collection of great examples of Akan goldweights.
-
Old Ashanti Akan Brass Bronze Gold Weight African Ghana Goldweight lost wax old
Regular price $49.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $49.95 USD -
GoldWeight African Ghana Brass Ashanti Akan bronze lost wax old
Regular price $39.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $39.95 USD -
Antique goldweight Ghana Gold Weight African Ashanti Akan Brass lost wax
Regular price $19.45 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $19.45 USD -
Antique brass GoldWeight African Ashanti Akan bronze lost wax large Gold Weight
Regular price $135.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $135.00 USD -
Old Ghana Gold Weight African Art Ashanti Akan Brass Bronze lost wax goldweight
Regular price $21.45 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $21.45 USD -
Antique Gold Weight African Ghana Coast Ashanti Akan Brass Bronze PYRAMID
Regular price $33.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $33.95 USD -
Goldweight African Ghana Ashanti brass Gold Coast Asante Akan lost wax weight
Regular price $23.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $23.95 USD -
Old Gold Weight brass bronze African Ghana Ashanti Akan goldweight lost wax
Regular price $24.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $24.95 USD -
Antique brass bronze Gold Weight African Ghana Ashanti Akan lost wax goldweight
Regular price $27.95 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $27.95 USD -
Gold Weight Antique African Art Ghana coast Ashanti Akan Brass bronze goldweight
Regular price $115.00 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $115.00 USD -
Antique brass GoldWeight African Ghana bronze Ashanti Akan lost wax gold weight
Regular price $21.45 USDRegular priceUnit price / per$0.00 USDSale price $21.45 USD