Title:
Bronze Goldweight, Maternity Figure
Object Name:
Figure, Goldweight, Maternity
Other Name:
Figure, Goldweight, Maternity, Bronze
Place of Origin:
Asante, Ghana, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 5"
W = 2"
D = 3"
The extent of the gold trade among the Akan people encouraged the use of brass and bronze gold—weights which are cast using the "lost—wax" process and have geometric or figurative shapes. Western scholars have identified two major periods of gold—weight production.
The first period dates from 1400 to 1720 and is thought to have been the result of influence of traders from the Mali empire. These weights are thick and usually geometrically shaped. Figurative weights are rare. They are large in size (7—10 cm.) and usually lack detail.
Weights produced during the second period date from 1720 to 1930. They are either geometric or figurative and show a greater variety of shape and detail. For example, animals, proverbs, or more simply, people doing everyday activities, have been represented.
Bacquart, P. 33
H = 5"
W = 2"
D = 3"
The extent of the gold trade among the Akan people encouraged the use of brass and bronze gold—weights which are cast using the "lost—wax" process and have geometric or figurative shapes. Western scholars have identified two major periods of gold—weight production.
The first period dates from 1400 to 1720 and is thought to have been the result of influence of traders from the Mali empire. These weights are thick and usually geometrically shaped. Figurative weights are rare. They are large in size (7—10 cm.) and usually lack detail.
Weights produced during the second period date from 1720 to 1930. They are either geometric or figurative and show a greater variety of shape and detail. For example, animals, proverbs, or more simply, people doing everyday activities, have been represented.
Bacquart, P. 33
Description:
Maternity figure with large head, braided spiked headdress, large bulgy eyes. Wedge—shaped nose, protruding slit mouth, crescent—shaped ears, cylindrical neck, small protruding breasts. Sloped shoulders, boneless bent arms fashioned away from body, right hand resting on small child's legs cradled across her lap, nursing from left breast. Legs extending in front of pyramidal seat, light green oxidation over entire surface.
Collection:
Finley Collection
Material:
Bronze
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Lost Wax Cast
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2014.1.97
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Front View
Front View - 2
Right Side View
Left Side View
Rear View
Front View
Front View - 2
Right Side View
Left Side View
Rear View