Goldweight [Cluster of Three Nuts] 19th-20th century

This small Akan goldweight features a cluster of three nuts, made with the lost-wax casting method. Across cultures, the nut is a powerful symbol of fertility, hidden potential, and prosperity. Consider the ancient Greek myth of the almond tree, born from the tears of Phyllis, symbolizing hope and rebirth. Here, among the Akan people, these nuts, rendered in solid brass, served as a counterweight in the delicate balance of commerce. The recurring motif of the nut—its promise of life, its protective shell—reveals our enduring fascination with nature’s bounty. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical rhythms of life, and the emotional reassurance in themes that have been passed down through history. Like a seed, the image of the nut carries within it a potent emotional charge, engaging our subconscious with the deep-seated human desire for growth and renewal. Even in its smallest form, this weight speaks volumes about the symbolic power of art, constantly resurfacing with new resonance across time.