Goldweight [Knot] 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have an Akan goldweight from the 19th or 20th century, crafted from brass. It's a small sculpture depicting a knot, seemingly functional, yet carrying an artistic quality. What’s your interpretation of this seemingly humble object? Curator: For me, it's about the labor embedded in this tiny sculpture. Look at the material - brass. Think of the mining, smelting, and the skill involved in casting it. This wasn't just about measuring gold; it's a testament to the ingenuity of Akan artisans. Consider too the "found object" element -- brass might have been sourced from European trade. Do you think that adds to its significance? Editor: Definitely, the repurposing speaks volumes. But how does the knot itself, as a form, play into your materialist reading? Curator: Well, knots signify connection, community, and often, solutions to problems. But let’s look at its function. Goldweights were essential for trade. They speak of social structures, of wealth distribution, of daily life itself. The production and control of these weights directly impacted social hierarchies and economic power. The ‘knot’ also could have acted like a ‘signature’, communicating status. Editor: So, beyond just measuring gold, it's communicating cultural and economic narratives through its material and form? Curator: Precisely. It dissolves boundaries between ‘art’ and ‘tool,’ showing art *as* intrinsic to social and economic life, not separate from it. It's about tracing the networks of production, exchange and ultimately, power embedded in an object seemingly simple. Editor: That’s really insightful. I hadn't considered the layers of meaning packed into its creation and use. It makes you rethink the term "African art" itself. Curator: Exactly! We have to resist isolating the aesthetics from labor; from systems of exchange.