Goldweight [Dagger with Snake] 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have a brass goldweight from the Akan people, dating from the 19th to 20th century, called "Dagger with Snake". The sculpture seems like an odd pairing of symbols, both of power and maybe…deceit? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, first, consider the context: goldweights weren't mere decoration. They were integral to trade and, therefore, power dynamics in Akan society. The combination of the dagger and snake is particularly potent. How might these symbols reflect anxieties around colonial encounters? Editor: So, you're saying it’s a commentary on the relationship between the colonizers – represented by the dagger, and the colonized – as the snake? The Akan felt threatened? Curator: It’s more nuanced than that. The snake in Akan culture isn't simply negative. It also symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and continuity. Think about how colonial powers often misrepresented indigenous cultures. This goldweight could be a subtle act of resistance. Perhaps the Akan artist is reclaiming power, asserting that their wisdom, embodied by the snake, will persist even under threat. Editor: That’s a different perspective than I first had. I focused on danger. It makes sense, though. But isn’t there also something about the phallic imagery with a dagger? Curator: Absolutely, this complicates things further when considering European masculinity and conquest at that time, as a commentary of the colonial impact and resistance. What does that mean in Akan society when it’s representing ideas of subversion, resistance, and survival? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. I was focused on the violence. I see now that it invites a discussion on power, representation, and resistance within the colonial framework. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. Art objects like this challenge us to constantly question dominant narratives.