22 Asante Goldweights Lot n° 46

22 gold weights Asante, Ghana Ohne Sockel / without base Yellow cast iron. L 1,5 - 5 cm. Provenance: Christian Zingg (1956-2023), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The weights of the Akan people on the former Gold Coast were in use from about 1400 to 1900. Their designation does not apply to the material of manufacture, but to their function, the weighing of gold dust, which was also used as a means of payment. Until the end of the 19th century, gold dust was therefore actively traded by the Asante and related peoples in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Special spoons ("saawa"), usually made of sheet brass, were used to remove the gold dust ("sikafuturo") from a container ("adaka", "kuduo", etc.) and weigh it on a beam balance ("nsania") with the help of counterweights ("abrammoo" / "mrammou, "abrammuo", etc.). The gold weights were made of copper alloys using the technique of lost wax casting (also called "cire perdue" or "lost mold"). Early metal castings were mainly geometric in design, and it was not until the 16th century that figurative weights appeared. These "newer" weights were still intended for practical use and, moreover, as prestige weights, they usually depicted Akan proverbs. Further reading: Niangoran-Bouah, Georges (1984). L'univers Akan des poids a peser l'or / The Akan World of Gold Weights. Abidjan: Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines. --------------------------------------------------------------- Homage to Christian Zingg After his studies at the University of Neuchâtel, Christian Zingg (1956-2023) embarked on a career as a mathematics and physics teacher in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The overwhelming number of his former students and colleagues who attended his funeral shows the extent to which he was appreciated as a teacher there. His interest in art and its history manifested itself in various directions: At the height of his career, he purchased the Villa Jaquemet in his hometown, built by Le Corbusier in 1908. Before that, Christian had embarked on a long journey as a collector, initially turning to ancient coins. As a scientist who wanted to get to the bottom of things, he quickly trained in reading coin inscriptions and eventually became a specialist in Roman numismatics. Among other things, he co-authored the 468-page work "Les empereurs romains," which was published in 1994 and reprinted in 2009. Due to health problems, he decided to retire early and devote himself to his family and his passions. With a marked generosity towards his relatives and friends and an always open mind to new cultural horizons, he had started in 2016 with a collection of African art that very quickly led him, in his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, to seek information from the best sources, build a library, browse museums and visit auctions and fairs, not forgetting the Puces de Lyon, where he loved to stroll in search of unique finds. His passion never left him until the last moment, not even when he was lying in bed not far from his home, wishing that his relatives would bring him some of his favorite pieces, which he found difficult to part with. (François Mottas) CHF 100 / 200 The condition (wear, eventual cracks, tear, other imperfections and the effects of aging etc. if applicable) of this lot is as visible on the multiple photos we have uploaded for your documentation. Please feel free to contact Hammer Auctions for all questions you might have regarding this lot (info@hammerauktionen.ch). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Hammer Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Hammer Auctions is here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Hammer Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item. ------------------------------------ The condition (any wear, signs of use, cracks, any other deterioration and the signs of age etc.) of this lot can be seen in the photos we have uploaded for your documentation. Hammer Auctions will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this item (info@hammerauktionen.ch). Any statements regarding the condition of the items made as a matter of fact to prospective buyers are opinions only and should not be treated as statements of fact. Hammer Auctions assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. In the rare event that the item does not match the description in the catalog, Hammer Aukt.