ASHANTE GEOMETRIC GOLD WEIGHT

Before 1920, from the Sir Cecil Armitage Collection. Brass, ¾” length of stepped rectangular form with a central diamond shaped indent. Reverse with small lead deposit to adjust the weight accurately. These weights were used with the gold balance scales which weighed gold dust. After an exemplary military career in Africa, Sir Cecil Armitage was made Governor of Gambia (1921-27). He was fascinated by the arts of East Africa, particularly those cast in bronze and formed a collection, largely related to the gold weights and containers which served the slave trade at that time. The currency for the slave trade was gold dust transactions in which were made by weighing against the standard. A portion of his collection is in the British Museum, while the balance was sold in London in the 1980s and purchased largely by us.