Goldweight [Antelope] 19th-20th century

This small brass sculpture by the Akan people is a goldweight in the shape of an antelope. Among the Akan, the antelope symbolizes agility, grace, and the ability to navigate both the physical and spiritual realms. Across cultures, we find the antelope or deer as a symbol of the wild, untamed spirit. Consider the Greek goddess Artemis, often depicted with a deer, embodying the hunt and the wilderness. The antelope's association with nature, speed, and freedom resonates deeply within our collective unconscious. The image of the antelope has persisted through time, evolving to meet new cultural needs, yet it is eternally linked to the untamed natural world, continuing to evoke feelings of freedom and vitality.