Goldweight [Cluster of Sticks] 19th-20th century

Editor: This "Goldweight [Cluster of Sticks]" from the 19th to 20th century by the Akan people is made of brass and possibly bronze, through assemblage of found objects. Its small size is fascinating. How would you interpret its function beyond simply measuring gold? Curator: Well, consider the bronze itself. Where did it come from? What labor extracted it from the earth, and who controlled its distribution? These weren’t just weights, they were signifiers of access to trade routes, colonial power, and complex economic systems. Editor: So it’s less about the object itself, and more about what it represents in the larger economy of the time? Curator: Precisely. This wasn't merely an artistic rendering; the very *making* of the object involved intricate knowledge of metallurgy and casting. Consider the social implications: Who had the skills to work with brass and bronze, and how did this skill elevate them in Akan society? This weight isn’t just about gold, but about labor, skill, and power dynamics. Editor: I see, so it’s almost like a micro-manifestation of macro-economic systems. I never thought about art in terms of industrial processes! Curator: Indeed. Also, notice the supposed “cluster of sticks” itself. Was that form chosen simply for practical reasons, or did the material conditions of production influence the imagery? Perhaps readily available materials or casting techniques informed that aesthetic choice. Editor: So, from this little weight, we can see so much about Akan society, its resources, and its interaction with the outside world. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! It is vital that we analyze all these different angles, to have a richer understanding of historical pieces.