This fine rare gold weight depicts a primary component of Akan royal regalia - a royal chair. This masterfully-cast weight represents a chief's asipim chair, featuring a pointed back support flanked by two finials. The inclusion of tiny raised circles represent decorative upholstery tacks - archiving an Akan practice of embellishing furniture with brass tacks, which shone like gold when polished.
In Akan society, gold was associated with authority, royalty and the sacred. From about 1400 to 1900, small, finely cast bronze and brass weights were used to measure gold dust - the currency of the Akan - which took a variety of geometric and representative forms.
Estimated Period: 18th/19th Century
Ex Private Collection, UK
Width: 2cm
Height: 4cm
Reference
'Gold Weights from Ghana', National Museums Scotland
'Gold Weight: Chair', The Metropolitan Museum
(Click on images to enlarge)
