PRODUCT DETAILS
+ Title - Akan/Asante Pan Scale Gold Dust Africa Complete
+ Type of Object - Pan Scale
+ Country of Origin - Ghana
+ People - Akan/Asante
+ Materials - Iron (metal content unknown)
+ Height (in) - 3 - 5.5
+ Width (in) - 2 - 2.5
+ Other Dimensions - Largest is 5.5x 2 5/8, Medium is 5x 2 1/2, Smallest is 3 5/8x 2
+ Overall Condition - Good
+ Damage/Repair - Oxidation
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Additional Information: Probably three scoops used to gather gold.
From the earlier 15th century to the end of the nineteenth century, gold (sika) was the currency of the Asante, Fante, Baule and other Akan peoples of Ghana. They developed a complex system of weighting gold dust using various tools including the equipment like this. Used in trade with European merchants saving along the Ivory Coast or Islamic traders from the north, gold dust was melt and measured on on the containers such as this. These were among the most essential equipment sellers had in their bag and used in every transaction. Cast in the ‘lost-wax' technique these spoons served to facilitate moving the gold dust to the scale.The gold dust was measured onto the scale and the spoon served to adjust the amount of the gold dust being sold.
Recommended Reading: Plass's AFRICAN MINIATURES-GOLDWEIGHTS OF THE ASHANTI.
AG0922
SKU: 142316
Product code: Akan Gold Dust saving African Scoops 142316