Wisdom Knotts
Akan state swords like this one are more ceremonial and symbolic of an instrument of power and are always carried by the “blade”. The sword blade here depicts imagery of wisdom knots, crocodiles, and other Akan symbols. The sculptural hilt is a highly realistic carving of a tortoise on top of a giant snail shell connected by a wisdom knot. This image combination is often seen in “mptea” or royal chief rings with a snail shell and a rifle on top of a tortoise shell. One proverb for this imagery is “If it were only for the snail and the tortoise, the gun would not fire in the forest.” The wood hilt has a very aged patina and at one point would have been completely covered with thick gold foil and gold staples which still covers various small sections such as the tortoise’s head. There are many gold staples still left in the wood but the majority have been removed and probably recycled into newer designs or sold for gold value. The wood still bears the holes of the small gold staples used to attach the gold sheet. Another carving would have been on top of the tortoise and is now broken off and missing- possibly a rifle. The hilt is removable from the blade so I chose to display this on a separate base for now due to size restraints. This sword came from the estate of the NYC artist Philip Martin Pearlstein (1924-2022). Pearlstein was a modernist portrait and still life painter that went to school at the Carnegie Institute and moved to NYC and shared an apartment together with his friend and fellow student, Andy Warhol. His works are in most major collections and museums. The last photo is from his studio which shows this particular sword in the background.
Asante silver bracelet with 3 cannons representing strength and readiness on top of 3 wisdom knots "NYANSAPO"- the symbol of wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience. "An especially revered symbol of the Akan, this symbol conveys the idea that "a wise person has the capacity to choose the best means to attain a goal. Being wise implies broad knowledge, learning and experience, and the ability to apply such faculties to practical ends." From the estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011).
This is a beautifully carved Baule or Akan staff fragment with the bottom half section missing. Wood, covered with gold foil. 30” L (Côte d’Ivoire). It is most likely a chief’s staff or possibly a Baule variation of the Akan linguist staff. The staff finial is an idealized male head with strong Baule characteristics and similarities to the heads of the “blolo bian” spirit figures. Two wisdom knots often seen in Akan imagery alternate with geometric patterns down the staff’s shaft. The missing bottom half of the staff most likely continued this motif terminating with a tapered end.
This Asante Okyeame Poma (counselor’s staff) depicts a commonly seen proverb: “The food is for the man who owns it and not for the man who is hungry.” Food here is a metaphor for chieftaincy, which is for the rightful heir and not for one who just hungers for power. On the middle of the staff is a carved wisdom knot. Ex René David (1928-2015) Zurich, Ex Jean David, Basel. H 161.5 cm Wood, gold foil.
