The Akan area has long been a hub of commerce, much of it centering on its rich gold resources. Brass weights for measuring gold have been in use since the 14th century. Individuals involved in trade owned or had access to a set of scales, gold-dust containers, spoons and weights. There are two basic types of weights: geometric forms, which are the earliest and most numerous, and figurative forms.

Although a few weights are directly cast from the object most are made by the "lost-wax" technique. The form is fashioned in wax, covered with a clay mold, then fired in a way that allows heated, liquefied metal to replace the melted or "lost" wax.

Figurative weights depict people, animals, plants, weapons, tools and many other aspects of daily life.