An Akan Jewelry Pendant

Jewelry pendant Akan, Ghana / Côte d'Ivoire Ohne Sockel / without base Copper. H 8 cm. W 12 cm. Provenance: René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). The precious metal of the former "Gold Coast" of Africa was for centuries the interest and desire of African and European merchants. Through trade, powerful states rose up, whose wealth and skill in gold processing became legend. Thus, at the Akan royal courts, masterful pieces of jewelry were created using highly sophisticated manufacturing processes, especially the lost-wax casting process. Gold alloys were mostly used as casting material, although in rare cases silver was also used, or exceptionally even copper, as in the case of this pendant. Even today, the jewelry serves as a sign of rank and affiliation at self-presenting festivities of royal families. The strong expressiveness of these unique pieces reflects the rich metaphors of the Akan and is based on the tradition of the highly esteemed art of oratory. The motifs depicted always refer to persons, animals, or objects that allegorically stand for praiseworthy qualities and aphorisms. Further reading: Ross, Doran and Eisner, Georg (2008). The Gold of the Akan. Museum Liaunig. Neuhaus: Museum Administration Ltd. CHF 200 / 400 EUR 200 / 400