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 is formed of a cast-brass base and lid. All types are called abampruwa or adakawa.
The lid of this box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted around the edges of the lid are ten birds.
The lid of this box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted around the edges of the lid are ten birds.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Cast brass |
Brief description | Asante box with lid for storing gold dust, brass, Ghana, late 19th century |
Physical description | A cast-brass box for storing gold dust. The lid of the box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted around the edges of the lid are ten birds. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Subjects 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 is formed of a cast-brass base and lid. All types are called abampruwa or adakawa. The lid of this box has a slightly raised geometric pattern. Mounted around the edges of the lid are ten birds. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.1135-1926 |
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Record created | August 21, 2006 |
Record URL |
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