Goldweight [Sword] 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have an Akan goldweight in the form of a sword. This particular brass sculpture is dated from the 19th to 20th century. Editor: It’s a rather captivating little sculpture, isn't it? The intricate detail, the way the light catches the brass... it feels both imposing and precious simultaneously. Curator: The Akan people, of course, utilized these goldweights not only as tools for measuring gold but also as expressions of proverbs and social values. So the symbolism encoded within such a form would be key. Editor: Exactly! Note how the rigid geometry of the blade, especially those negative triangle spaces, contrasts against the handle. A tension is present. Is that decorative knotting on the handle? And the finial is in the form of a crouching animal or figure? Curator: Yes, the textured details are remarkable. From my perspective, I see layers of Akan cultural beliefs—the sword may not just indicate justice, power, but an underlying narrative of skillful balance. Goldweights would function much like currency parables—tools used to promote stability and wealth. Editor: Which then gets to the historical tension: a functional object simultaneously acting as symbolic currency. Its cultural and commercial context makes you consider trade dynamics in 19th- and 20th-century Africa. One wonders about the degree of artistry that exists, being caught between form and function, if such distinction exists. Curator: Or the place of craft and its embedded politics of image construction in colonial discourse... In museums like Mia. This object invites multilayered interpretations, speaking volumes about history, use and sculptural refinement within African art traditions. Editor: Ultimately, the way these details work together, creates such a compelling conversation around its inherent purpose, transforming function into an incredibly powerful form. Curator: Indeed, observing art such as this sculpture can open such interesting conversations about value and artistic intention.