Goldweight [Cluster of Three Seed Pods] 19th-20th century

Editor: This is a 19th-20th century goldweight made by the Akan people. It is in the shape of three joined seed pods and composed of brass and gold. It feels surprisingly organic, and looks almost like a fossil. How would you interpret its role in Akan society? Curator: This unassuming piece carries significant weight, beyond its material value. As a goldweight, it functioned within a complex economic and social system. But the seed pod imagery suggests this weight wasn’t purely about commerce. What does the image of a seed pod tell us? Editor: Well, a seed pod makes me think of fertility, or growth. It’s a symbol of something generative, rather than something static. Curator: Precisely! Goldweights weren’t just tools for trade; they were often imbued with proverbs and symbolism, serving as constant reminders of ethical conduct, social values, and philosophical ideas within the community. Think about who would have used this, handled it, saw it. What messages would this seed pod weight carry in those social interactions? Editor: That’s a great point. So it’s functioning almost as currency, moral compass, and art object all at once! Curator: Exactly. And examining it as such forces us to reconsider the distinctions we often make between “art” and “utility,” or “economy” and “ethics,” especially in a globalized context. Editor: It’s amazing how much history can be held in such a small object. Thanks for broadening my perspective on this. Curator: My pleasure. I learned just as much hearing your initial impression!