Goldweight [Sword] 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have an Akan goldweight, shaped like a sword, crafted from brass sometime in the 19th or 20th century. The piece looks quite small and ornamental, with interesting perforations along the blade. What strikes you about its form? Curator: Its geometry. Note the contrasting shapes: the solid, almost phallic handle versus the crescent blade punctured with circular voids. How does this juxtaposition alter your understanding? Editor: It creates a tension. The handle implies force and solidity, while the blade… well, it's full of holes, seemingly negating the sword's purpose. Curator: Precisely. The negative space becomes integral to the composition. Consider how the artist manipulated the brass. The casting suggests a deliberate contrast between mass and lightness, weight and airiness. Notice also the handle decoration. Editor: It looks like raised rings. What role do these concentric forms have on the handle's surface? Curator: The placement and regularity of these divisions accentuate the handle’s volume. It creates a more intricate silhouette. Observe how light falls and moves around the goldweight's volume and textures. Do we perceive value? Editor: There is definitely some variation where light hits it versus areas that appear aged. I can't help thinking, though, that something that looks like it could function has no utility, since it is miniaturized. Curator: Does that diminishment frustrate the reading or intrigue you more? How does scale inform our perception of power and function in this piece? The contrast between utility and abstraction makes a rich ground to interpret this curious work. Editor: Seeing how its material form contradicts the functionality it imitates is really interesting, which I definitely missed before. Thanks for highlighting all of the art's forms in that way!