Not currently on display at the V&A

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.


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
  • Length: 7.5cm
  • Width: 3.6cm
  • Height: 2.5cm
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 createdAugust 21, 2006
Record URL
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