Artisanal Textured 10-Tola Cast Gold Bar / Decorative Ingot
Bar/Ingot (Artisanal Decorative) · Yellow Gold (High-Purity Alloy). The deep, rich color suggests a high gold-to-alloy ratio, typical of traditional bullion or high-karat decorative objects.
Purity: Estimated 24K (999 Fine Gold) or high-karat 22K (916 Fineness). Pure gold is 100% gold content, while 22K contains 91.6% gold with 8.4% alloy metals for structural integrity.
Type
Bar/Ingot (Artisanal Decorative)
Purity
Estimated 24K (999 Fine Gold) or high-karat 22K (916 Fineness). Pure gold is 100% gold content, while 22K contains 91.6% gold with 8.4% alloy metals for structural integrity.
Gold Type
Yellow Gold (High-Purity Alloy). The deep, rich color suggests a high gold-to-alloy ratio, typical of traditional bullion or high-karat decorative objects.
Weight
Estimated 100g to 116.6g (approximately 10 tolas or 3.2 - 3.7 troy ounces). The item appears thick and solid, signifying significant mass for its size.
Description
A striking, sculptural gold ingot featuring a high-relief celestial sun motif. Unlike standard flat investment bars, this piece prioritizes artistic texture, featuring a rugged 'earth-formed' surface that plays with light and shadow. It serves as both a store of value and a tactile art object.
Key Features
Hand-crafted sculptural relief, high-karat yellow gold luster, unique 'brutalist' organic texture, and a recessed sun/eye symbol that acts as a diagnostic center-point for the design.
Color & Finish
Deep, warm yellow gold with a 'bark' or 'sculptural' textured finish. It features a heavy brown-ish patina in recessed areas to highlight depth, with a high-luster polished center on the raised solar relief.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No visible stamps on the obverse. Often found on the reverse side; typical markings would include '999', '24K', or a specific refinery mark like 'PAMP' or 'Valcambi' for investment grade, or an artisan signature for custom work.
Dimensions Estimate
Approximately 50mm x 35mm x 8mm. It fits the hand as a standard 'biscuit' size ingot, similar to a small deck of cards but narrower.
Gemstones & Inlays
None. The focal point is a raised solar/eye motif sculpted directly into the gold surface through a professional casting process.
Clasp & Closure
Not applicable. This is a solid bar/ingot with no mechanism for attachment.
Chain & Links
Not applicable. Rectangular geometric form with rounded, hand-finished corners and vertical reeded-texture sides.
Craftsmanship Details
Cast using the lost-wax technique, allowing for the deep three-dimensional relief. The surface exhibits intentional tool-marks and an 'unfinished' aesthetic that requires high-level finishing to ensure no sharp edges.
Authentication Indicators
The rich, saturated yellow color is consistent with 22K-24K gold; however, the lack of obverse hallmarks is a red flag for bullion investors. Weight-to-volume ratio must be tested via Archimedes' Principle (Specific Gravity).
Origin & Maker
Likely Private Boutique Mint or Independent Goldsmith. The lack of standard industrial stamping on the face suggests a custom artistic piece or a specialized bullion product from the Middle East or South Asia.
Era & Period
Contemporary High-Craft (21st Century) with Mid-Century Brutalist influences. The organic, uneven texture is reminiscent of the 1960s-70s art-gold movement, though the production appears modern.
Age Estimate
Likely 2000s-present. The stylistic design and the state of preservation suggest modern production using traditional lost-wax or sand-casting techniques.
Cultural Significance
Represents the intersection of bullion investment and talismanic art. The sun symbol has historically represented power, wealth, and divinity in almost every gold-using civilization (Aztec, Egyptian, and Hindu).
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows light handling wear. The intentional darkening (patina) in the crevices is intact. No significant scratches or edge deformation common in circulated bullion.
Value Estimate
Primarily determined by gold melt value (current spot price x weight x purity) plus a 5-10% artisanal premium. If the item is gold-plated bronze (a possibility given the heavy texture), the value would be negligible ($10-$50).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft microfiber cloth; avoid chemical dips that may strip the intentional patina in the recesses. Store in a soft pouch away from other jewelry to prevent surface compression marks.
Similar Items
PAMP Suisse 'Rosa' or 'Fortuna' bars (more industrial/flat), Tairel custom cast bars, or historic 'biscuit' bars from the Credit Suisse era.
Interesting Facts
The 'Tola' is a traditional unit of weight used primarily in South Asia (equal to 11.66 grams). Many specialized bars of this size are cast in this weight class for traditional wealth storage outside the Western banking system.