A magnificent Akan lost wax goldweight.
Mrammou, Ghana 17th-19th century
5 cm
One of the best free figurative weights known from a master Akan sculptor. Besides the more geometric forms, these figurative weights refer to daily life, proverbs and Akan symbols. The weights represent stories, riddles and codes of conduct that helped guide Akan people in their lives. Central to Akan culture is the concern for equality and justice; it is rich in oral history on this subject. Many of these weights symbolize significant and well-known stories. The small added block under the figure was to adjust to the metric weights, indicating its use. After the late 19th century, with the introduction of western currencies, the system was abandoned.
Provenance:
Ladislas Segy, New York 1952;
Collection Roberts, Vienna.
The object is photographed in 1952 in the house of the Roberts family which was build by Marcel Breuer.
Cf. Garrard, T. F. 1972 “Studies in Akan Goldweights” (1), in: Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana. 13(1):1–20.
Expert: Joris Visser
Joris Visser
+32-2-514 00 34
Joris.Visser@dorotheum.com
04.12.2018 - 14:00
- Odhadní cena:
-
EUR 5.000,- do EUR 6.000,-
A magnificent Akan lost wax goldweight.
Mrammou, Ghana 17th-19th century
5 cm
One of the best free figurative weights known from a master Akan sculptor. Besides the more geometric forms, these figurative weights refer to daily life, proverbs and Akan symbols. The weights represent stories, riddles and codes of conduct that helped guide Akan people in their lives. Central to Akan culture is the concern for equality and justice; it is rich in oral history on this subject. Many of these weights symbolize significant and well-known stories. The small added block under the figure was to adjust to the metric weights, indicating its use. After the late 19th century, with the introduction of western currencies, the system was abandoned.
Provenance:
Ladislas Segy, New York 1952;
Collection Roberts, Vienna.
The object is photographed in 1952 in the house of the Roberts family which was build by Marcel Breuer.
Cf. Garrard, T. F. 1972 “Studies in Akan Goldweights” (1), in: Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana. 13(1):1–20.
Expert: Joris Visser
Joris Visser
+32-2-514 00 34
Joris.Visser@dorotheum.com
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| Aukce: | Mimoevropské a domorodé umění |
| Typ aukce: | Salónní aukce |
| Datum: | 04.12.2018 - 14:00 |
| Místo konání aukce: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Prohlídka: | 01.12. - 04.12.2018 |