Weight for Measuring Gold (Mrammuo)

1500–1720

African Art

On view, 1st floor, African Art

Brass weights called abrammuo (sing. mrammuo) were used to weigh gold dust, which was the primary currency of the Akan peoples of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire for centuries. While the earliest weights were cast in geometric forms based on the Arabic miskal (a unit of measurement), reflecting the gold trade’s intimate links to North African Islam, later examples, known as “proverb weights,” displayed figurative imager referring to Akan proverbs. Proverbs communicate accepted truths and practical advice in society, and many Akan proverbs brought to life in these weights are still in use today.

Medium

Brass

Dimensions

5/16 × 11/16 × 13/16 in. (0.85 × 1.7 × 2.1 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Labelle Prussin, Ph.D. 1973

Accession Number

2004.97.67

Geography

Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana

Culture

Akan

Period

16th–18th century

Classification

Tools and Equipment

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Labelle Prussin Collection, donated to Yale University Art Gallery in 2004
Bibliography
  • "Acquisitions 2004," in "African Art at Yale," special issue, Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2005), 140
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

goldweights

Subject

geometric motifs

Technical metadata and APIs

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