COLLECTION OF AKAN GOLD WEIGHTS
GHANA
African & Oceanic Art, Natural History and Ancient Art
Auction: 30 July 2025 from 14:00 BST
Description
brass, a large assemblage of 36 cast Akan goldweights, comprising: 24 geometric examples featuring spirals, grids, crosses and abstract motifs; one architectural throne form with human faces; three figural weights including a horseback rider and two stylised heads; two rings with bird motifs; a miniature sword; and five zoomorphic pieces - three birds, a fish and a scorpion (36)
Dimensions
largest 4.8cm tall
Provenance
From an old family collection in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
Footnote
Cast brass goldweights, known as abrammuo, were developed by the Akan to standardise the trade in gold dust across West African networks. Beyond commerce, gold held deep symbolic value in Akan society—linked to royalty, the sun, and spiritual life force (kra). Early weights featured abstract designs influenced by Islamic art, while later examples, from the 17th century onward, adopted figurative forms reflecting royal power and courtly life.