258 - GILDED LION - Ghana - Ashanti

GILDED LION - Ghana - Ashanti First half of the 20th century. Gilded brass. Dimensions: 8 x 15 cm. The outline of the head is formed by concentric circles. This technique is typical of Ashanti goldsmiths: they create the initial model by winding fine strands of beeswax before casting the metal. The animal’s face is flat, the nose forms a straight ridge that extends to the eyebrows, and the body is compact. The lion, Gyata, is a figure directly linked to royal power. It often serves as a symbol in legal or political proverbs, evoking the quiet yet destructive strength of the clan chief or king. Measuring 15 cm in length, the technique used is generally lost-wax casting (with a clay core inside) to prevent the object from becoming too heavy or consuming too much precious brass. Research and documentation: Coryse Mwape – Art historian specializing in ancient African art. Internal ref.: 99