Box
late 19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Natural gold resources generated wealth and influence for the Asante kingdom in Ghana, West Africa. From around 1600 small weights (mbrammoo) in brass and bronze were used to weigh gold dust, which was used for all commercial transactions. Loose gold dust, or small, pre-measured amounts wrapped in cloth and tied with thread for use in small purchases, were kept in small, cast-brass, rectangular boxes, or in oval or circular, sheet-brass ones. This rectangular box combines a sheet bronze base with a cast bronze lid. All types are called abampruwa or adakawa.
The lid of this box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted in the centre of the lid, facing along the length of the box, is the figure of a bird.
The lid of this box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted in the centre of the lid, facing along the length of the box, is the figure of a bird.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Cast and sheet bronze |
| Brief description | Asante box (with lid) for storing gold dust, late 19th century, Ghana. |
| Physical description | A bronze box for storing gold dust. The base of sheet bronze and the lid of cast bronze. The lid is surmounted by the figure of a bird. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Purchased from Gallery 43, 28 Davies Street, London, W1. Displayed in "V and A Africa: Exploring Hidden Histories" 15th November 2012- 3rd February 2013 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Natural gold resources generated wealth and influence for the Asante kingdom in Ghana, West Africa. From around 1600 small weights (mbrammoo) in brass and bronze were used to weigh gold dust, which was used for all commercial transactions. Loose gold dust, or small, pre-measured amounts wrapped in cloth and tied with thread for use in small purchases, were kept in small, cast-brass, rectangular boxes, or in oval or circular, sheet-brass ones. This rectangular box combines a sheet bronze base with a cast bronze lid. All types are called abampruwa or adakawa. The lid of this box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted in the centre of the lid, facing along the length of the box, is the figure of a bird. |
| Bibliographic reference | Patterson, Angus, "Asante Goldweights", The Journal of the Antique Metalware Society, Vol. 15, June 2007, p. 38 (and back cover) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.707&A-1969 |
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| Record created | April 5, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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