Scales consist of a metal rod (part a) and two metal pans (parts b and c). One pan (part b) has incised design consisting of overlapping stacked semi-circles on convex side and incised circle design with dot in the centre on the concace side.

• History Of Use

  Used to weigh powdered gold (gold dust). In exchanges of gold dust, both buyer and seller would weigh it on their own pair of scales, to ensure fairness. Due to the difficulty of handling gold dust, boys would train how to manage it by practicing with miniature scales. These scales were an integral part of any futuo (gold weight set). When not in use, the futuo would be carefully protected, rarely leaving the owner's possession. It was believed a part of a trader's kra (soul) was contained within the package, and so would often be included in the purification ceremony during the annual Odwira festival.

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• Type of Item scale
• Culture Asante
• Material bronze metal
• Measurements height 0.2 cm, width 12.9 cm, depth 0.9 cm (part a) height 0.3 cm, diameter 5.0 cm (part b) height 0.4 cm, diameter 5.0 cm (part c)

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• Previous Owner Alan R. Sawyer, Erika H. Sawyer
• Received from Erika H. Sawyer, Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget

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• Made in Ghana

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• Ownership Date before 2002, before April 16, 2014
• Acquisition Date on April 16, 2014

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Accession Number 3055/0205 a-c