Box Item Number: K2.83 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Oval-shaped metal box (part a) with a lid (part b). The box (part a) has a pattern of diagonal bands that have crescent u-lines within. The lid (part b) has a geometrical pattern of triangles in horizontal bands. Fastened together with staples.
History Of Use
Container for gold dust, which was used as the standard currency in the Asante kingdom. The blacksmiths who produced these boxes were called tounufe.
Specific Techniques
Made with the cire-perdue or lost-wax method. The mould is made of beeswax, covered with clay, and then fired. The wax melts and the hollow clay cast is then filled with scraps of copper-based alloy, before being fired for a second time.
Item History
- Made in Ghana
- Owned by Berkeley Galleries Ltd. before March 1960
- Received from Berkeley Galleries Ltd. (Seller) and Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source) during March 1960
What
- Name
- Box
- Identification Number
- K2.83 a-b
- Type of Item
- box
- Material
- brass metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- chased, beaten and stapled
- Part B
- height 1.1 cm, width 6.7 cm, depth 3.8 cm
- Overall
- height 3.5 cm, width 6.7 cm, depth 3.8 cm
- Part A
- height 3.3 cm, width 6.7 cm, depth 3.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- West African
- Previous Owner
- Berkeley Galleries Ltd.
- Received from
- Berkeley Galleries Ltd. (Seller) and Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Ghana
When
- Ownership Date
- before March 1960
- Acquisition Date
- during March 1960
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 101
- Accession Number
- 0023/0009 a-b