Ashanti Gold Weight Depicting a Mud Fish

A fish caught mid-curve, with a rope for a spine.

Ashanti founders of Ghana, West Africa, cast this gold weight in the form of a mud fish in bronze in the 20th century. Akan gold weights were traditionally used to measure gold dust, and many take the shapes of animals tied to proverbs. The body arches like a hook, twisted into cord along the back, and ends in a flat, ribbed tail fan. Spiral curls mark the head and fins. The metal is brass-brown, gold on the raised edges.

About 3 inches across. A paperweight with ambitions.