Goldweight [Bird] 19th-20th century

This is an Akan goldweight in the shape of a bird, made of an alloy of copper, zinc, and gold. For the Akan people, these weights were not mere instruments of commerce, but vessels laden with cultural meaning. The goldweight takes the form of a Sankofa bird, which appears frequently in Akan art. The symbol represents the importance of learning from the past. It expresses the idea that wisdom comes from reflecting on history. "Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi," which translates as, "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten." The Akan people used these weights in daily transactions, linking economic activity to broader cultural values, encouraging reflection on heritage, and the integration of past wisdom into present dealings.