European Influence
Baule (Baoulé) prestige item “Lantern”, wood covered with gold foil, Côte d’Ivoire. H 15 cm. “Within the aja the baule have an ostentatious assortment of gold-covered wood objects, many of which do not have counterparts in Akan regalia. Most are nonfunctional replicas of elite forms of Baule material culture. Among the European- derived objects are kerosene lanterns, gin bottles, ceramic jugs, firearms, pith helmets, and bugles. Imitations of indigenous items include sideblown ivory trumpets, combs, and cartridge belts.” Doran H. Ross. EX René David, Jean L. David, Galerie Walu, Zurich Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalog: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in the art of West Africa. Zurich: Gallery Walu. Page 12. Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum, Burgdorf (2009).
A Baule prestige object. This miniature wood carving covered with gold foil is a functional representation of a ceramic lidded vessel with intricate carved designs throughout the surface of the container. 16cm H. Ex Galarie Noir d'Ivoire, Paris, Ex Galerie Walu, Basel.
Wood and gold replica of an European-style bugle. Ex Estate René David (1928-2015), Zurich Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011).
An Akuapem counselor’s staff finial (okyeame poma). Imagery of cannons and powder kegs speaks to the readiness, strength, and power of the state and chief. The imagery also appears to depict 3 cannon balls on the top of the cannon. This example carved of wood and covered with gold leaf is missing the staff segments. The Akuapem is one of the few confederacies in Ghana. It consists of people of Guan and Akan descent. The name Akuapem is an altered form of the Akan Twi word “Nkuu apem” meaning “thousand groups” given by the warrior king Nana Ansa Sasraku I of Akwamu. Ex Amyas Naegele, NY, Ex Long Island, NY Private Collection
Asante chief’s regalia “crown”. The chief’s “crown” is strongly influenced by European heraldic symbolism with a combination of Akan symbolism. The finial can be interpreted as a palm tree which is seen as a symbol of strength since it is among the strongest of trees that can withstand strong winds without snapping (a true symbol for the strength of the chief). It can also be interpreted as a pineapple finial, said to represent sovereignty to the Akan. In chief’s regalia it can also be interpreted as the pineapple takes time to mature and won’t be sweet if eaten early — a statement on the patience of the chief. This can also be seen as patience for selecting an accomplished and experienced chief. Encircling the crown with the fleur-de-lis symbols from European influences are fern fronds called “aya”. The meaning of the image is derived from an Akan word play on fern “aya” where the word ya or yaw means insult or rebuke. When seen in regalia the meaning is “the chief does not fear insults”. Ex Morton Dimondstein, Los Angeles
A coastal Akan chief’s crown, Shama region, Ghana. (fabric, wood covered with hammered gold foil, seashells covered with hammered gold foil.) The Akan chief’s head gear regalia, commonly referred to as crowns, are worn by chief regents during ceremonial festivities as a sign of rank. This crown has British Isle influenced imagery displaying a series of carved wood and hammered gold foil thistle flowers associated with Scotland, British military, and the royal family. The image would have been commonly seen on military badges and medals like the “Order of the Thistle”. There are small seashells covered with gold foil in between the thistles. The crown is topped with a step pyramid motif covered with gold foil.
Two of my favorite Baule items in the collection are skeuomorphs, objects in the same shapes as the originals, yet carefully carved from wood with intricate surface designs. Gold leaf covers the pith helmets, an indication that they were display objects. Côte d’Ivoire. Early to mid-20th century. The Baule notables appropriated images from European colonial origin associated with prestige, power, and authority. Among them are crowns and pith helmets. These items were worn and displayed in special functions to project rank, authority and importance. - Provenance: Galerie Walu, Zurich. René and Denise David, Kilchberg. Denise Zubler (1928-2011), Zurich (2000). Zubler community of heirs (2011). Published: Quarcoopome, Nii O. (2010). Through African Eyes. Detroit: Detroit Institute of Arts. Page 74 and 258, catalog no. 73. Lüthi, Werner / David, Jean (2009). Gold in the art of West Africa. Burgdorf: Helvetic Gold Museum. Page 33. Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. "Gold in West African Art" (2009). Detroit Institute of Arts. "Through African Eyes"
Asante chief’s bracelet. “You have watches, we have time”- Akan proverb. Gilded Silver alloy. This mimics a western watch and reflects the power and authority of the ruler, who can control time. Non functional- worn as a symbol of the message and status. Gallery Walu, Basel, Switzerland before 1995.
Asante Prestige figure, Ghana. Wood covered with gold foil. 19 cm. Images of figures that display weapons and arms emphasizes the strength of the chief and his people and their superiority and readiness for war. This figure’s attire holds strong similarities to the uniforms worn by Ghanaian soldiers of the Royal West African Frontier Force during WWI/ WWII. It possibly represents an individual of high standing in the community that wanted to commemorate this important accomplishment and status in his life. EX Galerie Walu, Zurich, Switzerland. Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu, p. 12 Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf (2009)
An Akan (Côte d’Ivoire/Ghana) gold/silver alloy demi-parure. This design was influenced by Victorian fashion. It consists of a necklace strung with numerous tubular beads and suspended triple spherical bead pendants, together with a matching pair of earrings. The interest in Victorian designs continued into modern times making the dating of such items more difficult. 19 inches long. The earrings measure approximately 1 3/4 inches long. A measured spectrum analysis was performed and concluded that it consists of 79.10% silver, 17.28% gold, and 3.62% copper. From the estate of Olga Hirshhorn
Two Akan (Fante) fabricated gilt silver/silver-gold alloy hairpins with a floral pattern (Victorian style), 2” dia, Ghana. “Many Victorian motifs and patterns are still being reproduced in contemporary versions. The continuing interest in this design vocabulary throughout the twentieth century makes it very difficult to date individual pieces. Victorian designs are still especially prevalent in hair adornment where multiple versions of ornamental combs and pins are embedded in the elaborate wigs of Fante women.” - D.Ross. Ex collection of Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Dr. Nii S. Quao. Dr. Arikana-Quao was the African Union’s Ambassador to the United States. #mooscollection