Goldweight [Antelope] 19th-20th century

Curator: Here we have a brass goldweight in the shape of an antelope, crafted by the Akan people sometime in the 19th or 20th century. Editor: It’s small but substantial; the brass has this warm, earthy tone. And it’s quite charming! There’s almost a playful quality to it, despite its clear purpose. Curator: Indeed, these goldweights weren't mere adornments. They played a vital role in the economic and social systems of the Akan people, serving as counterweights to measure gold dust, the principal currency. This particular antelope might have held significance, possibly referencing proverbs or embodying desirable traits. Editor: Brass-casting using the lost wax method is so resourceful! I wonder how many of these would have been made in one go, using labor-intensive work? Also what particular skill went into perfecting this craft and getting the right result! Curator: Well, the antelope is not just any animal to the Akan. Often, antelopes are seen as embodying values like cleverness and resilience in Akan proverbs and oral traditions, such values probably became strongly tied to a community's trading ethos, for them to make the cut for representation. It is also likely, in reality, that a patron could simply decide they wanted a goldweight in a specific animal shape. Editor: So, this little sculpture encapsulates complex economic activity alongside, perhaps, philosophical or social commentary, not only through its purpose but the deliberate deployment of material, tradition and labor into something as small and beautiful as this. Curator: Exactly! It prompts us to consider the role objects play in shaping not just trade but also values in communities, illustrating how everyday items could hold so much meaning. Editor: Seeing the amount of effort it takes to bring such beautiful handmade crafts into production, makes you wonder if anyone even appreciates art with labor involved in this era of mass-produced machine art! Curator: The goldweight really emphasizes the profound link between art, economy, and the collective aspirations of a community. Editor: Yes, a potent reminder that material culture is invariably linked to social histories.