Goldweight [Linked Knots] 19th-20th century

This bronze goldweight was created by the Akan people, and is now part of the collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. These small cast objects were part of a sophisticated economic system. Akan metalworkers would have used the lost-wax method, a labor-intensive casting process where a wax model is made, encased in clay, and then molten metal is poured in, melting away the wax. The form of this goldweight is quite interesting, isn't it? We see spiraling rosettes at each end, connected by a linked knot. These weights were essential tools for merchants, and were also potent symbols of status. The imagery could represent proverbs, historical events, or natural phenomena, communicating complex social values. In this case, the linked knots may symbolize unity and strength, concepts valuable in both trade and community life. Considering this goldweight, we gain insights into the ingenuity of Akan craftsmanship, and the intertwining of art, economy, and culture.