Plants, Fruits, and Vegetables
Asante linguist staff finial (ɔkyeame poma). Ghana, early 20th century. Carved wood, hammered gold foil. 15.5 h × 6.5 w × 6 d in (39 × 17 × 15 cm). A number of ɔkyeame poma represent messages of cooperative behavior within the state and between the chief and his subjects. For example two men helping each other with climbing a tree or working may represent a saying “If your intentions are good people will help.” Cooperation leads to success.
aule fly whisk handle, "nandwa blawa", Côte d'Ivoire. Wood. H 33 cm. The pineapple finial said to represent sovereignty to the Akan in chief’s regalia 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. Provenance: Pierre and Hedwige Sennwald, Lausanne.
Akan/Asante chief's ring "mpetea" with blossom - Ghana. gold alloy ca. 0,65 0 (15.6 karat), weight: 27 g, H: 1.4 inch; ID: 0.8 inch (inner) Proverb associated: “Leaves of two kinds of kola we gather with wisdom .” Meaning “The leaves of the two kinds of Kola are very similar and it needs skill and experience to separate them. You have to take care in dealing with problems, and separate them carefully. -D. Ross. Provenance: Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, German, Roland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland, René David, Zurich, Switzerland.
Asante hinged bracelet (Babadua), cast gold, 7.9 cm. This design represents the segmented cane babadua and is usually associated with queen mothers, strength, and resilience. Ex Rudolf and Leonore Blum, Zumikon, Switzerland
Hairpin, Asante, Ghana. Gold alloy. H 8.5 cm. The pin consists of three birds on a flower. The motifs shown always point to people, animals or objects that allegorically stand for praiseworthy qualities and sayings. Hairpins were generally believed to have originated from European influence, particularly Victorian fashion. The filigree technique used here is of exquisite quality. The British museum writes “Hairpins were inspired by Europeans and first became popular among the Fante communities on the coast in the early nineteenth century. These pins were worn by women fixed into their elaborately plaited hair or sometimes, in the case of Fante women, into elaborate wigs made of horsehair.” ex Dr. Andreas Vontobel (1931-2011), Waltalingen
An Akan silver/gold alloy pendant with a very long multi link chain featuring a large depiction of a man picking cacao pods from a tree (321 grams). Size 74" L, pendant 4" H. Silver alloyed with gold is often referred to as "green gold". When it naturally occurs, it is called electrum. This pendant may not be pleasing to the western eye but it held a lot of prestige to the owner at a time when great fortunes were made from the introduction of Cacao in Ghana.
Asante Umbrella finial (ntuatire). Wood covered with gold foil. 25cm The structure represents the war horn (akoben). It is a widespread umbrella finial motif that is also used in gold weights and headdresses. Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalog: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in the art of West Africa. Zurich: Galerie Walu, p. 12. Exhibited: 2009: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf.
Asante gold weight in the form of okra, 2 in. Provenance: Davis Gallery of Ethnographic Art, New Orleans, Nov. 1981; Estate of Curator Scholar and Advocate of Outsider and Contemporary Art Bill Fagaly, sold to benefit Prospect New Orleans' William A. Fagaly Memorial Fund for Social Impact. Ill.: Burton, Marda. "Every Nook and Cranny: A Museum at Home". Veranda Summer 1995: p. 196-201;
Asante gold weight in the form of a pepper (direct cast from nature), 1 in. Provenance: Davis Gallery of Ethnographic Art, New Orleans, Nov. 1981; Estate of Curator Scholar and Advocate of Outsider and Contemporary Art Bill Fagaly, sold to benefit Prospect New Orleans' William A. Fagaly Memorial Fund for Social Impact. Ill.: Burton, Marda. "Every Nook and Cranny: A Museum at Home". Veranda Summer 1995: p. 196-201;