From the 15th Century to the 19th Century Akan goldsmiths created gold weights in a variety of styles depicting figures, geometric symbols and shapes and even objects of small insects that have been 'cast from nature'. The surface of this bug weight is smooth and worn, there are traces of the patterns of the wings, that can not be seen in the photos, whilst the ridges of the under body, legs and head are more obvious.
Ex Private Collection, UK
Estimated Period: 18th Century
Length: 4cm
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