Goldweight [Antelope] 19th-20th century

Editor: This brass sculpture, “Goldweight [Antelope],” likely dates to the 19th or 20th century and comes from the Akan people. It’s quite small, and has an interesting texture from the casting. What is its historical context? Curator: These goldweights were part of a complex economic and social system. They weren’t just weights; they represented proverbs, beliefs, and social commentary, speaking volumes about Akan society. This antelope might symbolize agility, resourcefulness, or even defiance. Editor: Defiance? How so? Curator: Think about the colonial context. Gold was a resource extracted by colonizers. By representing values like resilience through these small, powerful objects, the Akan were subtly resisting that exploitation, maintaining cultural identity. How does its form strike you? Editor: It feels very stylized. The legs are simplified, almost geometric. The little ridge down its back adds detail. Curator: That stylization is key. It moves beyond simple representation. It encodes meaning. The simplified form might allude to the antelope's spirit rather than its physical appearance, connecting to Akan spiritual beliefs and its importance to this culture. And that ridge you noted could mimic a line of cowrie shells, a past currency suggesting this animal is of great worth. Editor: I never considered that this object could act as an assertion of cultural value in the face of colonial pressures. It's amazing how much can be communicated through something so small. Curator: Exactly! By understanding the historical context and cultural symbolism embedded in this tiny sculpture, we can begin to unpack complex histories of power, resistance, and identity. I will remember that from now on, it opened my eyes to many details.