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Weights for Measuring Gold Dust

Photograph
1935 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Photograph depicting three decorative bronze weights, one resembling a couple in an embrace, one of a figure doing a handstand on a table, and the third of a figure riding a dog-like creature, made using the 'lost wax' technique


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWeights for Measuring Gold Dust (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Photograph
Brief description
Photograph by Walker Evans depicting decorative weights for measuring gold dust by the Baule or Ashanti people of Ivory Coast, in an exhibition entitled 'African Negro Art'. New York, 1935.
Physical description
Photograph depicting three decorative bronze weights, one resembling a couple in an embrace, one of a figure doing a handstand on a table, and the third of a figure riding a dog-like creature, made using the 'lost wax' technique
Dimensions
  • Height of objects height: 1 to 3in (approx)
Dimensions taken from the catalogue accompanying the exhibition of 1935
Marks and inscriptions
  • X.202 / NEW YORK: Museum of Modern Art. / Exhibition of African Negro Art, 1935. / [Photo. No. 163] (Label on mount)
  • 163 Three weights for measuring gold dust (left to right, Catalog nos. 207, 208, 209) / Ivory Coast (Baule); or Gold Coast (Ashanti) / Bronze, lost wax technique (photograph actual size) / Collection Tristan Tzara, Paris. (Label on mount)
Object history
NB: The term "negro" was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated here in its original historical context.

The Museum of Modern Art, New York, commissioned Walker Evans to photograph its African Negro Art exhibition of 1935. He produced 477 images and 17 sets of these images were printed, one of which the V&A bought for $50.
Displayed in "V and A Africa: Exploring Hidden Histories"
15th November 2012- 3rd February 2013
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic references
  • AFRICAN NEGRO ART Photographs by Walker Evans List of Photographs The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1935
  • African Negro Art Edited by James Johnson Sweeney, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1935
Collection
Accession number
2156-1936

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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