H x W x D: 2.2 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm (7/8 x 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Ghana
Côte d'Ivoire
Date:
18th-late 19th century
Label Text:
Until the end of the 19th century, gold dust was used in business transactions by the Asante and related peoples in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. An individual would need to own a set of weights and a scale. Gold dust was tied in a twist of cloth and stored in small metal boxes. Most common were cast copper alloy examples with decorated lids that resembled the designs found on geometric weights.
Description:
Cast copper alloy rectangular box and lid with basketweave decorative pattern on lid.
Provenance:
Benjamin Weiss, New York, -- to 1980
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