Goldweight [Linked Knots] 19th-20th century

Editor: This brass goldweight, "Linked Knots," made by the Akan people in the 19th or 20th century, is so intricate! It reminds me of a complex relationship, or perhaps a riddle. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see in this small object a powerful connection to the Akan people’s legal and economic systems. These goldweights weren't just for measuring gold dust; they were visual proverbs, embodying values and social codes. Consider how the linked knots symbolize diplomacy, negotiation, and the binding agreements crucial in trade and dispute resolution. How does this perspective shift your understanding? Editor: It makes me think about power structures, both economic and social. Was this a symbol accessible to everyone, or was it primarily used by elites? Curator: That's a vital question. While goldweights were used broadly in trade, their symbolic language would have been deeply understood and wielded more consciously by those in positions of power—merchants, chiefs, and elders who managed wealth and resolved conflicts. The ability to interpret and apply these proverbs was itself a form of cultural capital. Doesn’t that make you consider the layered meanings embedded within seemingly simple objects? Editor: Definitely. It’s a reminder that art isn't always about aesthetic beauty; it can also be about communicating complex ideas and reinforcing social hierarchies. Curator: Exactly. And it provokes questions about who controls those narratives and how they’re used. A tiny brass sculpture opens a door into the intricate social and political landscape of a society. Editor: It is fascinating to think about it. I thought it was just pretty. Thanks for enlightening me. Curator: My pleasure. Always look deeper, the story may surprise you.