Ashanti Calipers Amulet or Gold Weight, Based

Gold dust, a pair of calipers, and a proverb.

The Akan peoples, including the Ashanti, used small cast weights to measure gold dust in trade, and many weights reproduced familiar tools, animals and figures, often tied to proverbs. This one, bronze, early 20th century, takes the form of a pair of calipers: two tapering legs joined at a central hinge and crowned by a loop for suspension. About three and a half inches tall.

The surface is a mottled mix of rust brown and dark olive, with signs of wear along the edges. It is mounted on a slender rod and block base.

Measures, as it were, up.