Goldweight [Knot] 19th-20th century

This golden "knot," an Akan goldweight, presents a tactile and intricately structured form. Its warm metallic sheen and small scale invite close inspection, revealing a complex arrangement of linear elements. The knot’s structure, crafted from woven metal, suggests a preoccupation with systems of connection. The vertical spine grounds two looped forms, demonstrating a balance between linearity and curvature. The artist challenges our perception of weight and value, transforming a functional object into an emblem of cultural meaning. Consider how semiotics operate here: the knot symbolizes unity and continuity within the Akan culture. It destabilizes the notion of fixed value by embedding cultural significance within a monetary object. The materiality of gold further complicates this interplay, highlighting the tension between intrinsic worth and symbolic representation.