MSSU African Art Exibit : The MSSU African Art collection features a variety of authentic works of art from various tribes located throughout Central Africa. The objects in the collection range from mundane day to day grooming tools to ritualistic masks and statues.
Title:
Bronze Goldweight, Bird
Object Name:
Figure, Goldweight, Bronze
Other Name:
Figure, Goldweight, Bronze, Bird
Place of Origin:
Asante, Ghana, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 2—3/4"
W = 1—1/4"
D = 2"

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:
Lost wax cast, bronze goldweight. Flamingo—like bird. Long thin beak and head, attached to back. Long neck, long flat tail. Single leg standing atop small square base. Multi—colored oxidation over entire surface. From white to light green, to a tannish brown color.
Collection:
Finley Collection
Material:
Bronze
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Lost Wax Cast
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2014.1.101
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