Goldweight Horsemen Asante Ghana African Art WAS $45. 00
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:9562 | Color: Gold |
| Maker: Asante or Ashanti Artisan - Africa | Material: Brass |
| Original/Reproduction: Original |
TitleGoldweight Horsemen Asante Ghana African ArtType of ObjectGoldweightCountry of OriginGhanaPeopleAsante or AshantiMaterialsBrassApproximate AgeUnknownOther DimensionsHeight: 2.25 inches Inches
Width: 2 Inches
Depth: .75 Inches
Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.  Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their p...atina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. Additional information: Goldweights have been called "masterpieces in miniature" reflecting artistry in service to commerce. The weights are not gold but were used in the trade of gold. Until the end of the nineteenth century, gold (sika) was the currency of the Asante, Fante, Baule and other Akan peoples of Ghana. Used in trade with European merchants along the Ivory coast or Islamic traders from the north, gold dust was measured on small scales called ‘nsania’ using small copper, bronze or brass sculpted weights known as ‘abrammo’. Most people engaging in trade owned a set of weights ranging in appearance from small geometrically patterned weights to complex figurative and representational weights.Cast in the ‘lost-wax’ technique these small sculptures served to facilitate trade while depicting Akan values characterized through proverbs or popular sayings. Weights would carry traditional proverbial lore or simply show people in everyday activity or comment upon social and political relationships, or to reflect upon religious acts and spiritual ideals. Humans, animals, fish, amphibians as well as objects of everyday life were apt subject for representation in weights. Representational imagery derived from contact with Europeans includes ships, rifles and cannon are also found in weights. Gold weights are some of the best known examples of Akan arts reflecting their artistry in small scale but carrying great meaning. The Lost Wax Method is an exceptionally labor intensive process where a wax mold is formed by hand over an open fire until mold is exactly as intended. The wax is then dipped into very fine powdered black mud several times; being allowed to harden between applications; and forming a clay casting around the mold. The clay is then heated until wax melts and is poured out of its casting. Finally, molten brass is poured into the casting replacing the old wax mold. The clay is then broken away from the brass; leaving a solid brass ornament. Each piece is individually made. No two are exactly the same because the mold is broken in the process of making the piece.
Recommended reading: For more information, see Plass's AFRICAN MINIATURES-GOLDWEIGHTS OF THE ASHANTI. **128361** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
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Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51, 000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125, 000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletterGo to Africa Direct Store
Width: 2 Inches
Depth: .75 Inches
Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.  Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their p...atina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. Additional information: Goldweights have been called "masterpieces in miniature" reflecting artistry in service to commerce. The weights are not gold but were used in the trade of gold. Until the end of the nineteenth century, gold (sika) was the currency of the Asante, Fante, Baule and other Akan peoples of Ghana. Used in trade with European merchants along the Ivory coast or Islamic traders from the north, gold dust was measured on small scales called ‘nsania’ using small copper, bronze or brass sculpted weights known as ‘abrammo’. Most people engaging in trade owned a set of weights ranging in appearance from small geometrically patterned weights to complex figurative and representational weights.Cast in the ‘lost-wax’ technique these small sculptures served to facilitate trade while depicting Akan values characterized through proverbs or popular sayings. Weights would carry traditional proverbial lore or simply show people in everyday activity or comment upon social and political relationships, or to reflect upon religious acts and spiritual ideals. Humans, animals, fish, amphibians as well as objects of everyday life were apt subject for representation in weights. Representational imagery derived from contact with Europeans includes ships, rifles and cannon are also found in weights. Gold weights are some of the best known examples of Akan arts reflecting their artistry in small scale but carrying great meaning. The Lost Wax Method is an exceptionally labor intensive process where a wax mold is formed by hand over an open fire until mold is exactly as intended. The wax is then dipped into very fine powdered black mud several times; being allowed to harden between applications; and forming a clay casting around the mold. The clay is then heated until wax melts and is poured out of its casting. Finally, molten brass is poured into the casting replacing the old wax mold. The clay is then broken away from the brass; leaving a solid brass ornament. Each piece is individually made. No two are exactly the same because the mold is broken in the process of making the piece.
Recommended reading: For more information, see Plass's AFRICAN MINIATURES-GOLDWEIGHTS OF THE ASHANTI. **128361** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51, 000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125, 000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletterGo to Africa Direct Store
