Goldweight [Tortoise with Snail on its Side] 19th-20th century

Editor: This small brass sculpture, dated to the 19th or 20th century, is titled *Goldweight [Tortoise with Snail on its Side]*. It's really intricate, but the patina makes it look very worn. What’s your take on the figures depicted here? Curator: The tortoise and snail, seemingly disparate creatures, create a fascinating juxtaposition. Tortoises often symbolize longevity, wisdom, and even invincibility due to their protective shell. Now consider the snail… it can represent perseverance, vulnerability, and a kind of tenaciousness. Editor: So, it's about contrasting ideas? Curator: Precisely! What kind of stories or proverbs might these animals evoke within the Akan cultural memory? These goldweights, although small, acted as potent symbols representing aspects of life. This miniature world gives form to ethical principles that helped guide their commerce and social relations. Do you notice anything about the shell? Editor: The shell looks highly patterned, almost like a grid. Curator: Good eye. That patterned carapace might also reference a map of the world, order and organization. And the snail attached – an opportunist or just trying to survive, taking a free ride. These seemingly mundane objects invite consideration of the human condition, survival, and cooperation. What has stayed with you regarding this sculpture? Editor: I’ll think of Akan proverbs when I see a tortoise or snail now! It's amazing how much symbolic weight these little brass figures carry. Curator: Indeed. These are carriers of cultural memory that allow for continual adaptation and reaffirmation through a dynamic dialogue of forms.