Goldweight [Long-Necked Bird] 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have an Akan goldweight from the 19th or 20th century, depicting a long-necked bird and crafted from brass. The metalwork is striking. I’m curious, what story does this sculpture tell you? Curator: For me, it immediately provokes questions about its function beyond aesthetics. Goldweights were, fundamentally, tools of commerce. Consider the materiality: brass wasn't mined and processed locally; it was likely acquired through trade networks. The value wasn't just in the gold being weighed but in the brass itself, and the labor that went into its creation. Editor: That makes sense. It's not just art for art's sake, but about access to materials and trade. What about the image of the bird? Curator: That's where it gets even more fascinating. The bird likely holds symbolic meaning within Akan culture - perhaps representing vigilance or adaptability. These symbols served as a visual language reinforcing social and moral values within a system of exchange. So, how does seeing it as an instrument of both economic exchange *and* cultural meaning change your perspective? Editor: I suppose I was initially focused on it as an artistic creation. But thinking about it as a tool and a representation of broader social values adds a new layer. It's about the entire process from material sourcing to symbolic use! Curator: Precisely! This piece exemplifies the blurring of lines between ‘art’ and ‘craft.’ We’re looking at an object whose value lies in its materiality, its utility, and its ability to communicate cultural information, challenging traditional notions of art as solely aesthetic. Editor: It's amazing to think about all that history embedded within this small brass figure. I’ll definitely see these objects differently now! Curator: As will I. It's conversations like these that continually reveal the rich potential behind interrogating everyday objects.