https://www.mooscollection.org/about daily 0.75 2026-03-01 https://www.mooscollection.org/general-1 daily 1.0 2026-03-12 https://www.mooscollection.org/contact daily 0.75 2024-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a68406a1-74dc-4ef4-ade7-b7102c2106ad/lightX.PNG https://www.mooscollection.org/about-1 daily 0.75 2026-03-01 https://www.mooscollection.org/store daily 0.75 2026-03-01 https://www.mooscollection.org/store/p/hats monthly 0.5 2026-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703145-ACR2RDWXNK3YQUQEUIFX/IMG_5872.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703010-IHNJHV8S24Z1L2LAAK3M/IMG_5874.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703241-2DYLMKNPXVT85VQSGXP9/IMG_5871.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703240-DAPX8DD8S78BU7503IOU/IMG_5879.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703218-1A475BUC8IKO3ZW6J9JN/IMG_5878.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846702942-LXXT0VE9X8WLX2XK1HTS/IMG_5880.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703235-2MCO7JAXR483FR445H3Z/IMG_5881.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846703080-MXSN5V4EGD67S82NLDWK/IMG_5877.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846702984-B9EZ77RGIM0RYYGIJC0P/IMG_5876.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691846153331-IQE0M7PSV3P7WWBJOTCE/IMG_5885.jpeg Store - Hats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691847879754-TMX7ILZO1ETA59CX75BO/IMG_5889+2.jpeg Store - Hats https://www.mooscollection.org/store/p/mooscollection-akan-pendant-mask-pins monthly 0.5 2026-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1691962806766-UMOFIXP90YW1P4EEPAM6/IMG_5676.jpeg Store - Mooscollection Akan pendant mask pin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1690324356941-DOIQGBH4F05X113WMGQ3/IMG_5520.jpg Store - Mooscollection Akan pendant mask pin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1690324356959-AR0RIA3ANARYT37CRSBT/IMG_5547.jpg Store - Mooscollection Akan pendant mask pin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1690324356947-GGKFCAGKWPPZXKJ182TM/IMG_5527.jpg Store - Mooscollection Akan pendant mask pin https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery daily 0.75 2026-04-01 https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-six-sz8wl-j76ah monthly 0.5 2026-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442222453-OJIR79ZWUWXXK5TTXGUT/tempImageRXBZRU.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Akan cast gold pendant mask, Côte D’Ivoire/Ghana 9.70cm. From the estate of Olga Hirshhorn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442247271-5GJBY545QDPDR9DLER8D/tempImagecN8vkj.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442273866-OZP81C9DDPNP98UF0Y7B/tempImageev15SU.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Akan crocodile pendant. Cast gold. 13.30cm. Côte D’Ivoire/Ghana. From the estate of Olga Hirshhorn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680020180395-FXEDCOYMAD4JIAERGB8L/IMG_6380.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442334534-XONC41M2YFF6P0BYJT4F/tempImage7ObAyt.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Royal court pendant of a crocodile. Akan, Cast gold alloy. 18cm (7.08 inches). Crocodiles are popular Akan subjects for sword ornaments (abosodeɛ). A royal appellation “Dɛnkyɛm niampa a ɛduru afeɛ a ɔmene boɔ”— “The great crocodile that swallows a stone every year. Gallery Walu, Zurich, Estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442303212-DY5NO159M3EAPSGJZ0MW/tempImageSFOisC.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Lagoons people, cast gold alloy pendant of a coiled snake in fine wax thread technique. 3.9” L x 3” W. In Akan and Baule proverbs the coiled snake often are symbols of femininity and fertility. Ex Zemanek-Münster ex Roland Hartman ex René David ex Roger Bédiat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bd6101f5-a04d-471b-ab0e-3d762ee8b774/IMG_4566.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Akan cast gold (12K, 30g) pendant representing a coiled snake with a bird in its mouth. D: 2.4 inch - 2.6 inch. In Akan art, the snake is often seen devouring a variety of animal types. Sometimes it is a bird as in this example. Other examples seen in pendants and sword ornaments depict frogs, lizards, and even antelopes. Regardless of the snakes prey, the takeaway message is that the snake “triumphs through patience.” There is another proverb specifically describing the snake devouring the frog motif but it also applies to the bird and other animals: “Every part of the frog belongs to the snake. This is based on the observation that snakes swallow their prey whole, and the proverb is used to describe dominant-subservient relationships.” -D.Ross. Kunstauktionshaus Zemanek-Muenster 104, Germany, Ex Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile, Chile. Published: “Oro de Africa - Insignias de Poder”, Colección Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile 2007, p. 36. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/22b08d0c-cd5e-46b0-b340-ca9bd95ee934/IMG_5458.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bf0e44b5-ddfa-4d77-9dd4-e004c14dd708/IMG_5461.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442361855-INJGL9CFURZTR53L3LG3/tempImageOvH0lQ.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Akan pendant in the form of a beetle. Côte d’Ivoire. Cast gold alloy, H 7 cm. Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalog: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in the art of West Africa. Zurich: Galerie Walu, p. 38. Exhibited: 2009: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/763fd549-4412-444d-a751-7e434c53d04d/IMG_0523.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442390778-ODZ118RJ45I1R8V19AEQ/tempImageEId1ZA.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Akan cast gold alloy pendant in the form of an abstract beetle or possibly the lozenge-shaped traditional design called “kontro bie” or "female crab" by the Ebrie, Côte d’Ivoire. H 5.9 cm. W 8.9 cm. Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalog: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in the art of West Africa. Zurich: Gallery Walu, p. 25. Exhibited: 2009: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442418868-F8BW7MYU9TYW7A7Y5KUH/tempImageAtzQgv.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Akan pendant of a banana harvesting knife. Côte d’Ivoire. Cast gold alloy, H 10.5 cm. B 7.5 cm. From the Estate of René David, Zurich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a9b9ba5b-4a13-41ef-9fea-4e3c75b3af9f/lightX.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants Lagoons region Côte d’Ivoire (Akan or Baoulé) anthropomorphic ram’s head pendant. Cast silver and gold alloy (79% silver, 15% gold, 63.3 g), 8.4 cm x 8.4 cm. “Baoulé and Lagoon region goldsmiths explain the wonderful variety of abstract rams' heads citing the saying, "My strength is in my horns. The ram signifies the chief, for it is powerful, intelligent and wise". (Garrard, Ross). Here, the pendant is a combination of an ancestral head with the symbolic strength of a ram. EX collection of Constance McCormick Fearing (estate), Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8e337c40-0edf-4310-8bdf-340a70b05c93/IMG_8093.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b4b32a79-795f-459b-9de4-8cf2c0479df6/IMG_4045.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants An Akan or Baule gilded copper alloy pendant with two birds and an elephant. 3.5” dia. Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana. EX Paul Tishman collection (NY) by decent. “Paul Tishman was often asked why he and his wife Ruth decided to collect African art. His simple reply: How does one fall in love?” Most of the Tishman collection was bought by the Walt Disney company in the mid 80s and in 2005, Disney donated all 525 objects in the collection to the Smithsonian National Museum of African art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0d748836-c46a-4553-aa44-b7aae11edc7e/IMG_4046.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bfb3790c-d5f2-4a31-83bb-9444917693d9/IMG_1717.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Gold Pendants This is an Akan gold alloy pendant from an exceptional Akan necklace from Ghana/ Côte D’Ivoire consisting of gold beads (10K-18K) alternating with rare large glass Venetian cylindrical beads (1850-1920). The pendant is a downward pointing crescent moon shape with spikes or rays at the top, 4 3/4” L. 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. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-six-sz8wl-j76ah-m63hs monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442744546-3C68XH5KRVUFHBB2P2KV/tempImageGWhXUd.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c6d83fa8-a437-4886-9b9d-5d6d5d0c1cd3/IMG_9290.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443039596-PSYJIIYYN226T303TNTS/tempImageSmur8x.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/24d1dca5-001c-49e2-958d-8a042a2e4224/IMG_8074.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8ee61f9c-96f5-46b8-ab18-68842c345d3f/IMG_2588.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/72f65ee5-ccbc-4c87-9509-385b688e5929/IMG_8231.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry A large Asante hinged bracelet, cast alloy with a heavier gold gilding on the outside surface. The alloy is most likely copper with other trace metals such as gold and silver but a proper analysis must be made to confirm. Exterior diameter 4 1/2” (11.4 cm),interior diameter 2 5/8” (6.8 cm), width at the “protrusions” 1 1/2” (3.8 cm), overall width 1” (2.5 cm), Weight 10.5 oz. (298 g). Hinged chief bracelets are almost always worn on the left wrist. This bracelet’s design is similar to designs more often seen in Akan chief’s ring’s (mpetea) in the form of twisted rope lobes and knots. Doran Ross describes this motif in The Royal Arts of the Akan” in the Liaunig: “In addition to nyansa po, the Akan have other ideas about knots. A very common finger ring design is called a “twisted knot” (pokoro) by Garrard, who notes that some of his informants said it represents a gold nugget (1989:189, 230). While the ring design looks more like a skeuomorph of twisted fiber bands than a knot or a nugget, one imagines that the Akan might view any twisted, intertwined or entangled form as a knot. Another knot in the adinkra corpus is called mpata po, literally “pacification knot.” According to Willis, it “represents a knot or a bond that is formed after a dispute or a disagreement between two parties” and he sees it as a symbol of reconciliation (1998:135)." Ex David Spetka, (Niger Bend), Ex Tamba Sylla, aka Baba Sylla, Ghana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/65abb10b-c336-4746-8618-120a33e07c80/IMG_8205.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/28af2c9c-5ac0-4a9b-98a4-cd54a9a68def/IMG_8238.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442773431-10Y4ILE0VTGI12CCMJ03/tempImageaXpoJy.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Asante chief’s ring “mpetea”. Lost wax cast gold, Ghana. H 2.36”. One goldsmith in Kumasi named this ring as ahwehweba. Other people in Kumasi thought that it represented the proverb: Ti koro nko agyina. “One head does not make a council.” (There should be consultation when an important decision is to be made). Provenance: Galerie Walu, Zurich, Switzerland. Estate of Dr. Andreas Vontobel (1931-2011), Waltalingen, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442828015-QBOYZF9A3CC620HZ3HQ8/tempImageZvxogp.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442855281-A7DIOOTE3G0QDOI5RVGS/tempImagepIdyrZ.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Akan chief's ring "mpetea" with a mudfish motif, Ghana. Cast gold alloy 0,570 (13,68 carat), weight: 25,8 g, H: 5,2 cm; W: 5,6 cm; D: 1,7 cm, H: 2,0 inch; W: 2,2 inch; D: 0,7 inch. Associated proverb: "When the mudfish swallows anything, it does so for its master" (crocodile), that is, what is good for his subjects is good for the chief". Provenance: Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany, Roland Hartman, St. Gallen, Switzerland, René David, Zurich, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442891168-1S28FAQ4H6C56X0IKOM8/tempImagezUMNxC.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry An Akan chief’s ring “mpetea” in the form of the mudfish. Ghana. Cast Gold alloy, H: 4,3 cm; W: 5,5 cm; D: 2 cm, H: 1,7 inch; W: 2,2 inch; D: 0,8 inch. I particularly like the head pattern on this example. Associated proverb: "When the mudfish swallows anything, it does so for its master" (crocodile) that is, what is good for his subjects is good for the chief". Provenance: René David, Zurich, Switzerland, Roland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland, Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442921615-T1CWBE554FR5C8NONZOL/tempImagek47wET.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Akan Chief's ring "mpetea" of a mudfish - Ghana. Cast Gold/ silver alloy. H: 2.0 inch; W: 2.4 inch; D: 0.8 inch. EX Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany, EX Roland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland, EX René David, Zurich, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442954446-80YQG3GC4DYW6YC2DYEB/tempImagechWd5m.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry An Asante chief’s ring “mpetea” of a bird with cannons at the base of each wing and a powder keg in its beak and on its tail. Cast gold alloy, H 4 cm, Ghana. “One of the most explicit, if fanciful, symbols of power found on Asante sword ornaments is a bird with cannons on its wings and often a keg of gunpowder on its back and in its beak. The body of the bird is typically configured as a square knot (nyansapɔ), a symbol of wisdom and the ability to solve problems among the Akan who say "Only a wise man can untie nyansapɔ. This powerful and wise avian ordnance is one of the most common “abɔsodeɛ” and is also frequently found in gold weights, counselors' staffs, and chiefs' finger rings. The expression associated with this image is primarily descriptive, "The bird that flies with cannons and gun-powder." Nevertheless, it is an evocative metaphor for the martial capabilities of chief and state.” -D.Ross. Provenance: Gallery Walu, Zurich, estate of Andreas Vontobel (1931-2011), Waltalingen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442985443-2LB6YK1A9E8IW8Z9M2RR/tempImagenZ4YoT.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Akan Chief's ring "mpetea" of two crocodiles - Ghana. gold/silver alloy, 1.8 inch x 1.8 inch; D: 0.8 inch. The image displayed is of two crocodiles which share the same stomach. The proverb behind this image is “they share the same stomach, yet they fight for food.” It signifies that unity is strength and that infighting is harmful to all who engage in it. Provenance: Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany. Roland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d9e4e8a9-7bd2-44cc-976d-b7a011b59432/tempImageGA2Lrp.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Two Asante chief rings “mpetea” in the form of two scorpions, Ghana. Cast gold/silver alloy, H 4 cm and H 5.7 cm. One proverb associated with the scorpion is “The sting of the scorpion is as slow to subside as a fire is to cool.”- if you incur the chief’s displeasure, you will feel it for a long time. Provenance: (Left) Gallery Walu, Zurich, 1983, Adolf Burkhardt (1935-2002), Berne, and (Right) Gallery Walu (1986), Zurich, Rudolf and Leonore Blum, Zumikon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8b18f8be-9f4b-45a2-b888-f466841ae994/IMG_0094.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry This colossal Asante chief’s ring "mpetea" in the form of a scorpion is the largest in the collection. Its exceptionally large size and material emphasized the importance and power of its owner. Cast high karat gold, 3" L × 2 1/4" W × 3" H. 112g. One proverb associated with the scorpion is "The sting of the scorpion is as slow to subside as a fire is to cool."- If you incur the chief's displeasure, you will feel it for a long time. (Having been stung by a scorpion in Mali, I know this to be very true). Ex collection of Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Dr. Nii S. Quao. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao was the African Union’s Ambassador to the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98380444-f9de-4c1e-ae28-56bb402a3e02/IMG_0130.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ca03b1c7-a93d-4ae7-97e7-3c96be687222/IMG_0095.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b78f3f6b-e9ae-4d0c-a208-9fb477d5965c/IMG_9391.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c01c355b-18c2-44d5-9baa-2edef9e6b994/IMG_3031.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9130a6d9-c91c-4974-8528-fb985b1166f4/IMG_3029.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Another colossal Asante gold chief’s ring “mpetea” with the image of a chameleon, 2 3/8” H x 3 3/4” L. Proverb: “The chameleon can only change the color of the clothes he is wearing, not those in his box,” meaning that one can deal only with the immediate environment, only with the problems at hand. This is a warning against trying to exceed one’s own abilities. Ex collection of Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao and Dr. Nii S. Quao. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao was the African Union’s Ambassador to the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2745d77b-7599-4549-9f88-0f9f293a5fca/IMG_3030.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/39a8ff18-5d74-466e-86fe-dc9ed315d4ef/IMG_3039.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/63fe71d5-3bc1-4f49-a11d-5541fd0689a9/IMG_1733+2.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442795521-Y0A2X1943AEPMLHHNZQE/tempImageq9eatb.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443013675-GGOFVMAIEGA8HL1RLASG/tempImage0G5ejR.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Akan pendant bell, cast gold alloy.(12K). 3.5 cm. From the estate of René David. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Lomé, Togo (2005-2011). “There are two types of bells in common use in Asante: the flared-lip, open type with attached clapper always associated with state stools and often seen in miniature versions as an ornament, and the smaller, spherical, closed ‘sleighbell’ or crotal type with a loose stone or bit of metal put inside through the slitted opening in the bottom to provide its noise-maker. Bells, of the first type, were customarily bound to ancestral stools in order to call the spirits of the departed, and those attached to the Golden Stool were rung to summon the Asante people. Miniature representations of manacles and bells were also cast in the form of gold-weights, strung as composite elements onto ornaments and appeared as part of the decorative schemas of cast brass kuduo vessels. Bowdich states in his published account that ornaments such as this, along with other beads and cast gold items, were strung on bracelets and anklets to protect the wearer from harm.”- source: British museum curator’s notes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3f6414f9-0d1d-42f1-92ec-2eefe3cedde1/IMG_7937+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bd7296e0-ba3a-47ee-a6c5-5fcfe901dd37/77861972_1_x.jpg+copy.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/48c7d757-0e38-4814-8c9b-8e89bbc7f0b3/Sketches.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c8a72e0f-8c2c-4a8d-ae72-304120bbe96c/IMG_8101.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Akan three-stranded chain with mudfish pendant. Silver alloy. Associated proverb: "When the mudfish swallows anything, it does so for its master" (crocodile) that is, what is good for his subjects is good for the chief". Provenance: Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, Germany, Roland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland (1922-2007), René David, Zurich Switzerland (1928-2015) According to Doran Ross in The Arts of Ghana, a similar example of a silver mudfish amulet necklace with a similarly made chain is thought to be MAMPRUSSI? from the Northern regions of Ghana. Although collected as an Akan piece, it may have a different origin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c13a30c4-b813-48a5-bdc7-d145800c3f15/IMG_1626+3.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/95bf7e32-d98c-4385-a99e-18e51efa6b82/IMG_3482.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Although these beautiful and intricately cast beads were collected in Ghana, the design and technique points to the Baule or Lagoons goldsmiths of Côte d’Ivoire. That said, similar designs have been produced in the neighboring coastal Akan states of Ghana. The rectangular beads each have a name according to the design pattern with some referred to as “srala” or “bamboo door”, “Alondra” or “chicken feather”, “alekue” or “the cups on an awale board”, “Allie waka” or “knife handle”, “akwatika sinbui” or “the back of the tortoise”, “jomo owie” or “dog’s bone”, “besin besin” or “back to back”, and “kokoyaka” or “taro roots” or “taro foot”. “Shield” is another common design for the rectangular beads. The largest of these rectangular beads is 6cm x 5cm and the smallest is 4cm x 3cm. The bi-conical bead (8cm L with round bead) hangs to the back and terminates with a round bell shaped bead. Strung with carnelian stone beads collected in Bondoukou, Côte d’Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/86b35482-0722-4a87-9642-819294f8d707/IMG_3490.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/267e2d29-0ede-4e29-a5bf-7f1839214bbf/IMG_4856.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6c64f1f5-8460-48dc-85b7-9c0dea74498b/IMG_4858.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/463f53e2-d568-46ce-93ab-0e014a21ee28/IMG_4859.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4ae39aaa-4a38-45b5-9204-e59583017dab/IMG_4860.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/245e05f5-5235-4216-9336-f7c3774eb4c9/IMG_1682.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry An exceptional Akan necklace from Ghana/ Côte D’Ivoire consisting of gold beads (10K-18K) with a downward pointing gold alloy crescent moon shaped pendant. Rare large glass Venetian cylindrical beads (1850-1920) alternate with the gold beads. The majority of the gold beads are cast with a few fabricated from sheet gold and formed and decorated with repoussé. Most notably are the two Akan images of human teeth, two natural gold nugget forms, sea shells, sun discs, and over 37 individual smaller gold beads in various forms. Necklace 30”. Pendant 4 3/4” L. 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1e2de69c-a69f-4d7c-b26d-3439ee537424/IMG_1714.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/255fb606-35da-40d9-a76a-fd1b48593d5d/IMG_2522.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a2111754-c325-473d-8c90-90f9816c80e1/IMG_2525+2.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e556f2a9-cba0-42dd-9410-f150cc4c936a/IMG_1675.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0f310fdb-2d5a-4032-b89c-cc40a5b4d300/IMG_1685.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/de5724ea-413e-41a6-a005-30645ba0ab4e/IMG_1673.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eb545ad6-de8b-431f-ab3c-31da39fc27e3/IMG_1717.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/53cf8723-0a14-4cca-a0df-f6196f3999f3/tempImagezbNZlq.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry 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. I have only seen one other example with remarkable similarities to this pendant in size and design which is part of the Barbier -Mueller collection in the African Gold Museum in South Africa (see image below). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ec52fe58-46e0-4b3c-a841-68336a99d14d/IMG_1737.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a6b33ea3-d2e3-40cb-9c69-5ab1ab4f018b/IMG_3577.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c751a9d1-9b58-48cf-8926-3a306245d071/IMG_3651.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry A remarkably similar pendant from the Barbier- Mueller collection in the Gold of Africa museum Cape Town, South Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7c18a422-2c82-4f13-8074-3bc10945dc46/IMG_1166.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry A group of Akan pendants from a period when great wealth was brought to individuals in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire with the introduction of the crop Cocoa. In Ghana, cocoa was so prosperous, it was often referred to as “sika dua” or “gold tree” (money tree). The imagery is of cocoa pods and tools used in the cultivation, harvesting, and preparation of cocoa (such as the bill hook, cocoa harvesting knife with its curved blade, and a cutlass). As prestige jewellery items, they display the success and source of the individual’s wealth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c5d25957-09b1-4e91-8e5c-c9988412bab0/IMG_3545.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Jewelry Three Akan pendants of a bill-hook, cacao harvester’s knife, and a cutlass. Gilded silver and gold alloy. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3 monthly 0.5 2023-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3fdbe0a6-a741-4b8c-8ac4-1151046094c4/sw.jpg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/27d37842-0c17-49ee-a87d-70399cacfab7/IMG_3697.jpeg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" Photo credit: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e37dbafb-a2f9-45be-beb2-b1b50a22e0e2/IMG_2169.jpg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9f0d7712-bc56-482d-96a3-965b3c8aad24/226_1.JPG Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" Asante Pectoral “Soul Washer’s disc” (Akrafokonmu), 18th-19th century, Ghana, Gold alloy. 12cm. Pectorals were worn as a sign of rank and allegiance of the royal families at the festivities. They are worn by distinguished dignitaries and are also called soul disks. The symbol of the sun also allegorically stands for the radiant soul of Asantehene (Regent of the Asante) and is supposed to protect the bearers. The bearer also protects and holds a part of the soul of the chief. Thermoluminescence age determination (fired casting core material): approx. 180 years EX Jean L. David, Galerie Walu, Zurich, EX René David, Zurich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680378451647-7ODUJAE9SFNW4NKUDP17/tempImage6NlspJ.jpg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cfe7091b-1f8b-4b80-a99c-bc126721bc32/2543FE3E-549E-4909-98E4-0EE386904535.JPG Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" Akan Pectoral “Soul Washer’s disc” (Akrafokonmu), Ghana Material: Wood covered with hammered gold foil. D: ca. 13 cm, D: ca. 5,1 inch EX Zemanek-Münster, Wurzburg, Bavaria, DE, EX private German collection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d4e5d6e8-c032-4812-8241-0b715de43c6c/IMG_1366.jpg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6164b43e-2ad7-4203-859d-3190a9caf4eb/IMG_8190.jpg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9aee68bf-2814-4be1-8cf2-5e328d565dfe/IMG_8189.jpg Gallery - Akrafokonmu "Soul Washer's Discs" https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/11940c65-80a0-4f91-905b-04fab63d0a33/IMG_7789.JPEG Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa Sika blawa female figure, H 35.5 cm. From the estate of René David. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Lomé, Togo (2005-2011) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/979186db-b7a5-46b7-9eee-4686c173b487/IMG_6143.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9864efd1-0444-4700-836d-39a2930374d2/IMG_6146.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/71dbdcca-5bee-4513-8ba2-817d1216d11f/IMG_6145.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b26bd0cb-94ac-41f1-a0e5-81d6368ff3f0/IMG_6148.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5f44f147-2072-4ba2-9b05-702c635a2c4e/IMG_6149.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cd70b92a-9707-4b15-888a-647d0eaa6d87/IMG_6157.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a53215f0-f905-4918-9ca1-89473bb2604c/IMG_6158.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6a6c044e-aa9d-4a86-8efe-4b0a2ee46dac/IMG_6151.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9bdd424-6d45-4e8e-8745-ffe3b2fb7de3/IMG_6159.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/63d711c7-7824-4a9f-9c5c-b755eea83827/IMG_6407.JPG Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa Sika blawa female figure, H 27.62 cm. EX private Swiss collection, EX Collection Jean Paul Delcourt, Abidjan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b666d3be-8901-4f19-8661-34aa837f7ba8/IMG_6412.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2ef5361b-1cde-44da-a967-9be788701b44/IMG_6410.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dd1be913-ca74-439d-a20e-dc346b2eb24c/IMG_6409.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bc437727-281a-49eb-ac09-621791b4e602/IMG_6396.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/aa685e2f-4fc8-4ae6-8465-e5514435e5c0/IMG_6414.JPG Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a4e254c2-03c1-4af2-bb51-03ece814ba4f/IMG_6415.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/33272a23-60b8-42bc-8811-d58c9a16b5c0/IMG_1396+2.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2b88996b-38e3-4d16-938a-cec907f5b859/Sketches.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa The sika blawa female figure in Situ, Côte d'Ivoire. Ex Collection Jean Paul Delcourt. Photo credit: Giovanni Franco Scanzi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4290431c-0a08-45fc-96ab-0766cbb24da8/213071578_2_x.jpg.webp Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa Baulé Sika Blawa female figure, 20.3 cm H. carved wood, hammered gold foil, cotton indigo textile. Ex Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM, Ex Ralph T Coe private collection (2005), Ex Taylor Dale (TAD) Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, Ex Private California Collection prior to November 2005. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/60580c26-95ca-4b0c-a37f-8a6f3613b5b2/213071578_1_x.jpg.webp Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9f2d9714-5223-46f1-9573-52aa52915e3b/213071578_4_x.jpg.jpg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a8199025-405a-419c-8e67-a8aaeef6a91e/213071578_3_x.jpg.webp Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2b605e29-2a51-4f2a-a0f1-8348b86f6a71/IMG_1082.jpeg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3cad1967-2ad7-4a85-b7bd-e798e61f6d7e/IMG_1049.jpeg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/62bbfeb2-2224-4be8-874e-a914ea6447ab/IMG_1055.jpeg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6e22ee89-4644-400a-a136-1066a9a89f1f/IMG_1066.jpeg Gallery - Baule Sika Blawa https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f172eab9-5446-46bc-a4c3-e024bec8e62d/IMG_0909+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9c5bc34-5a5a-48af-8bda-b42e2a0d3072/IMG_0910+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/effd2a84-a06e-4c75-ba4b-49cfe8a7993e/IMG_0912+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c3e9c66d-4bce-4968-b3d9-a8618ec0caea/IMG_0916+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c7952e53-4d23-44ac-b4fb-ad14d45dbfce/IMG_0917.JPEG Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fab843cc-c79a-4f1e-9f3f-87875c73c363/IMG_7645.jpeg Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait A chief wearing a similar braided headband ca. 1939. Photo: J.K. Bruce Vanderpuije, Dec Gratias Studio, Accra https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443731550-VN7HN6NOOUBQ8OMYF0X0/tempImagekPG4PE.jpg Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443743073-UQZ3099J1K1RRMUAGXEC/tempImagedDFC7p.jpg Gallery - Akan or Baule Cast Gold Family Portrait https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-ma7rx monthly 0.5 2023-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/47c19408-f4c5-40c9-a92b-24dba6e954cc/IMG_7757+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Asante shrine figure of a ruler. Ghana. Wood, pigments, kaolin (white clay), gold leaf, steel. 21'' x 6.5'' x 6''. The ruler is depicted holding a sword (akrafena) with cut adinkra symbols and a gong. He is wearing a traditional abotire with protection amulets and Asante sandals. Akan wooden images of male chiefs are uncommon. Kaolin pigment has been rubbed around the eyes which associates the ruler with his divine connection to the supernatural, or closeness to the supernatural world through devotion and reverence. Additionally gongs are used to reach a state of trance for divination. From the estate of Allan Stone "The Collector", New York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443511097-Q44VSU1UKZBM5IVXAC2H/tempImageaV1noh.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443540000-LTOVCM0C17LRYFCFWDLC/tempImageLPPMjy.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443567740-OEWCGRR236IIJH2S80ZW/tempImageuXPrNC.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture An Asante realistic scene from the large pool of Akan figurative illustrations, often referring to proverbs. This scene is of a blacksmith and his assistant shown at work. Wood, pigment H 37 cm. From the estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443589028-SWIEGVEJW2Y5EIOQSK40/tempImageJsfw4m.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443630095-TRYXTS95TJZAP66Q5J6F/tempImageEeszHn.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Baule (Baoulé) equestrian figure, Côte d’Ivoire. 9.5” H. Objects that have been repaired are especially interesting to me. Some representations of an individual were intentionally destroyed- particularly the face and likeness of the person after they passed away so that the spirit wouldn’t remain with the object. I have an example in which the face was destroyed and a different face was carved and glued on in its place. Estate of Thomas McNemar (1931-2020). McNemar lived and collected throughout Central and West Africa in the 1960s and 70s. He established galleries of African Art in New York and San Francisco, selling to museums and public and private collections in the United States and Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7857c885-1553-4ac4-a524-adec6a221d32/tempImageds6rMd.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Ebrié (Lagoons people) female figure (Nkpasopi) seated on a stool, Côte d’Ivoire. Wood, pigment, fabric. 25” H. Estate of Thomas McNemar (1931-2020). McNemar lived and collected throughout Central and West Africa in the 1960s and 70s. He established galleries of African Art in New York and San Francisco, selling to museums and public and private collections in the United States and Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443645260-WKUAPHJ0E7DPFXQDZZS9/tempImagerOAvC8.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/86748315-174d-4d7f-ae1f-b74a23a27548/IMG_4576.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture A small Asante "Akua-ba" figure with a much larger presence, Ghana. Wood, glass beads. H 17 cm. W 7 cm. Provenance: - Timothy F. Garrard (1943-2007) - Christie's Paris, France. December 6, 2005, Lot 127. - Private collection, Western Switzerland. - Hammer Auktionen 152, lot 0033. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0bfcabab-6917-4927-b8c0-d9a8df495b7e/IMG_4585.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ac6701e1-4b90-4a12-a928-011763bcf54e/IMG_4581.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/276c5f11-d92c-4205-a471-e5b806450e8c/IMG_1368.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture An Akan (Asante) “Akuaba” fertility figure, Ghana. Wood, 9.4” H (24cm). “The name Akuaba comes from the legend of a woman named Akua who was distraught at being barren, for Akan women desire above all to have children. She took her problem to a priest, who instructed her to commission a small wooden child (dua ba) from a carver and to carry the surrogate child on her back as if it were real. Akua was instructed to care for the figure as she would a living baby, even to give it gifts of beads and other trinkets. She did these things, but after a while was laughed at by her fellow villagers for her foolishness: "Akua, is that your child? Oh, look at Akua's child," they teased. With time the wooden figure became known as Akuaba (Akua's child). Eventually, however, she conceived and gave birth to a beautiful daughter, and her detractors came around to adopting the same measures to cure barrenness. "Akuaba" is now widely used by Akan-speakers not only for the well-known small figures but for all types of sculpture. Properly, though, it should probably be confined to those figures consecrated by priests who invoke the influence of their deity to induce pregnancy. A vehicle of spiritual power, the figure is carried by a woman for a stated period of time. In many cases, hopeful women adorn these figures with beaded hairstyles, waist beads, and earrings; they even suckle them and put them to sleep as they would a real child. “- Doran Ross #mooscollection ex Zemanek-Münster ex German private collection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/01093204-456b-4547-8712-2e5150133af6/IMG_1369.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6397f4bd-3d4a-4ddd-874c-9b66638ae1df/F1228766-E236-4C02-A56E-B5495E7300A0.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture An Akan (Fanta) “Akuaba” fertility figure, Ghana. Wood, glass beads, 26cm. “The name Akuaba comes from the legend of a woman named Akua who was distraught at being barren, for Akan women desire above all to have children. She took her problem to a priest, who instructed her to commission a small wooden child (dua ba) from a carver and to carry the surrogate child on her back as if it were real. Akua was instructed to care for the figure as she would a living baby, even to give it gifts of beads and other trinkets. She did these things, but after a while was laughed at by her fellow villagers for her foolishness: "Akua, is that your child? Oh, look at Akua's child," they teased. With time the wooden figure became known as Akuaba (Akua's child). Eventually, however, she conceived and gave birth to a beautiful daughter, and her detractors came around to adopting the same measures to cure barrenness. "Akuaba" is now widely used by Akan-speakers not only for the well-known small figures but for all types of sculpture. Properly, though, it should probably be confined to those figures consecrated by priests who invoke the influence of their deity to induce pregnancy. A vehicle of spiritual power, the figure is carried by a woman for a stated period of time. In many cases, hopeful women adorn these figures with beaded hairstyles, waist beads, and earrings; they even suckle them and put them to sleep as they would a real child. “- Doran Ross. Ex collection of Michael von Schenck (1931), Basel. 1980-1983 Swiss Ambassador in Ghana. Ex-Swiss private collection, Ticino https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d93ee564-6075-44bc-a68c-958d00b4f58a/IMG_1182.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8254bcaa-93e6-48ba-8b4f-fca48dbe8960/IMG_7895.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Asante fertility doll, "akuaba”, Ghana. Wood, glass beads. H 23.5cm. Ex Madeleine and Jean-Jacques Keller, Rheinfelden, Switzerland. Hammer Auctions, Basel, Switzerland. Christian Zingg (1956-2023), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d2d0a996-ab69-4c14-8b3b-bb9da78e7b49/IMG_7901.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c736f490-7bf8-4c25-8669-6673aed89fb8/IMG_7896.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9cb70782-b1cb-48ce-9723-c3a6c5d2aa96/IMG_2020.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Akan figure. Côte d’Ivoire. This figure reminds me of my first experience in Côte d’Ivoire. I was eating dinner with an Agni villager close to the border of Ghana near Bondoukou. She stated that she didn’t go out at night because there were sorcerers in flying ships that abducted villagers from the trails. With that description, I immediately related it to the UFO experiencer phenomena. This little Akan figure definitely shares the resemblance so the memory and story lives on. Ex Estate of Madeleine and Jean-Jacques Keller (Abidjan until 1980, then Rheinfelden). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1fbdcd82-9ed5-4821-ac40-9163be342dd3/IMG_2013.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f5bf5349-ce94-4233-8bd8-e91000738869/tempImagehMOgbn.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Figurative Slingshot, "potomowaka" Akan, Ghana / Côte d’Ivoire, Wood. H 17.5 cm. Estate of Madeleine and Jean-Jacques Keller (Abidjan until 1980, then Rheinfelden). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c00655f7-2f25-403d-938b-11c2ed5c4c18/tempImageFbw5yd.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/99042793-c128-4a6c-87be-28760555efd3/IMG_4393.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Fanta figure, Ghana. Wood. H 32cm. W 7cm. Standing female figures are common in West Africa and their symbolism and tasks are interpreted in many ways. In the matrilineal society of the Akan, self-confidence, grace, composure, dignity, stability, poise and many other qualities are among the qualities that should distinguish a woman. In addition to that, the woman stands upright on the ground with which she is deeply rooted. Closely linked to the central theme of motherhood are nutrition, the family and the survival of the clan or the state. In this context, the present sculpture was probably ritually worshiped and sacrificed in a shrine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8fa12ee4-d8cd-4599-9b2c-9708d35f8610/IMG_4394.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/894331a4-9324-4dd9-b9ec-cdcdddbe0330/IMG_4395.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4f52fc0c-cac6-4378-9af2-50909879d335/IMG_4508.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture An Akan female figure, standing on a round base, wearing sandals. Ghana. H 11.5 inches. EX Bonhams, Ex private collection Long Island, New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d6fbad8b-ec8f-4585-8e65-2d2480b554c2/IMG_4505.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fcb85d8a-120c-4a2f-82ec-13c7d75eeb92/IMG_7885.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Baule male figure, "waka sran" ("blolo-bian"), Côte d'Ivoire. Wood, textile, glass beads, pigment. H 15.5”. Ex Galerie La Reine Margot, Paris, France, Ex Paul Gnaegi, La Chaux-de-Fonds (1962), Ex Georges-Jacques Haefeli (1934-2010), La Chaux-de-Fonds (1984). Christian Zingg (1956-2023), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland (2020), Ex Hammer Auktionen 119, Switzerland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6b516f63-a098-48cc-939c-2bb630258ccd/IMG_7886.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5bddaa57-c8fd-42d9-ad19-988e50e0a71a/IMG_7889.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4942362f-65f7-4de1-9525-7856b82a5603/IMG_8027.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture Baule “colon” figure. 10.5” H from Côte d’Ivoire. Wood and pigment. Damaged: missing feet and base. This figure depicts a colonial era Ivorian in European apparel. Colon (colonist) figures emerged during the colonial period, particularly under France’s colonial administration in Côte d’Ivoire (late 1800s–1960) and reflect complex cultural responses to European presence, influence, and colonial-era Africans. Provenance: The estate collection of Dr. Roy and Sophia Sieber. Dr. Roy Sieber (1923-2001) is considered the founder of the discipline of African art history in the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/27f05ca2-cff0-4966-b8af-c42ee3f30393/IMG_8015.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1f4321b0-468d-4cde-a728-ed0ce34fae23/IMG_8033.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1d8f046a-70e6-4424-9922-f5cea5eebab1/IMG_8032.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Figurative Sculpture https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-yt6bj monthly 0.5 2023-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6eca20b0-7686-457b-a6fe-226cff94db88/Seydou+Keita1.jpg Gallery - Photography An original Seydou Keïta silver gelatin photo print, 4.75" x 7". Date printed, 1956. Condition issues include missing sections, tears, surface damage, soiling, creasing, etc. Obtained in Mali through the family that owned it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f3dd7873-2a0d-4763-9b1e-4aa9fb9cd748/Seydou+Keita2.jpg Gallery - Photography Seydou Keïta. Faint photographer’s stamp on reverse. “Keïta Seydou, Photographe Bamako-Coura”, with illegible areas and a stamped date of "2 Juil 1956". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680392792770-QD6PT1B4DVCQM5VIGN3W/PICT0407.jpg Gallery - Photography A young Agni boy with staff and a "mmaa dwa" or woman's stool, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680392832905-DNIJQY268S3XNGBHFV44/IMG_2969.jpg Gallery - Photography A young Agni man, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680392889109-NKIXTQRHUUXFZK50P5DA/2D964773-B491-41D8-9DA5-825E6D17ABF5.jpg Gallery - Photography A young Agni girl, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680392943927-MHUBQWFVVH0UWFR9R2U1/IMG_3038.jpg Gallery - Photography A young Agni boy with an Awale game board, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680393032625-AH00KZNGIO0XLLN0XWBE/PICT0408.jpg Gallery - Photography A young Agni girl with a "mmaa dwa" or woman's stool, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f32fae8c-a1f5-4b1a-b2ac-96314148809f/EAB4CF56-7574-4B6A-A9B5-075ED7536D91.jpg Gallery - Photography Doorway with a "mmaa dwa" or woman's stool in the village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/40e9b12b-6cba-4e9e-b422-491cb8c3fbe5/PICT0109.JPG Gallery - Photography The chief of Essikro with his council of elders, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999. I met the chief and his council for a formal introduction meeting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0a85cb4d-31e0-4743-8869-bbb42dbd5e7f/PICT0077.JPG Gallery - Photography The chief of Essikro with his council of elders, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999. The notable photo on the wall is of President Bedié who was overthrown by a coup weeks later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1c2352ff-a1ef-4edb-8dd6-b991bd970d77/PICT0409.JPG Gallery - Photography A rare female féticheur in the village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4c27ae3a-ac8b-4ef8-9f74-c7cf2f8e75d1/PICT0403.JPG Gallery - Photography A rare female féticheur and her female apprentise in the village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/34fb4cfd-ba2b-4736-939a-e3a7dd919a5f/PICT0411.JPG Gallery - Photography A rare female féticheur and her female apprentise in the village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/23bf655d-3ab7-45ab-a196-8dd1c1ef3fc0/IMG_7735.JPG Gallery - Photography A young girl, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/398e1bde-4f3e-4ea4-9c96-2455bd4a4f5d/IMG_7768.JPG Gallery - Photography Children playing, Côte d'Ivoiore, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4e581354-10de-4e6f-b1b3-9a2e3034583c/IMG_8976.JPG Gallery - Photography Sunset in Bondoukou, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5946aaf8-0e56-40cd-bcf2-48ea61eb8247/From+a+hill+near+Farague.jpg Gallery - Photography A hilltop view in the Koulikoro region of Mali, 2003. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680140152537-83BZKPP6WB2YHQHSD7A4/1223.jpg Gallery - Photography An old sign found facedown on the border of Mali and Burkina Faso, 2002. Haute-Volta (Upper Volta) was the previous name of Burkina Faso, changed in 1984 by an initiative from President Sankara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8325058d-60b9-466c-ac11-6e6bb2a36c8b/AppleMark+-+HP+-+HP+psc2350+-+2006-09-15+21-43-51+1.jpg Gallery - Photography Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680140220906-YA3AH0HBKTWTJ7UXJU38/At%2Ban%2BHIV%2Bawareness%2Bbasketball%2Btournament%2Bin%2BMopti%2B%2528Jason%2527s%2Bproject%2529.jpg Gallery - Photography Watching a sport match in Mopti, Mali, 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e484fdea-73f8-4cf8-b007-0cdd06d90c45/IMG_7669.JPG Gallery - Photography Cape Coast, Ghana, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680140275587-L5LOC0PZK2UIV07TIN8F/Cape%2BCoast%2BCastle-Ghana.jpg Gallery - Photography Cape Coast Castle, Ghana 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680140345473-6H7UV8RASZ8ZK8M3F2XY/Cape%2BCoast%2Bslave%2Bcastle%252C%2BGhana.jpg Gallery - Photography Cape Coast Fort, Ghana, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680383986617-K0W7CC3HE5CFQYR1PZA3/Coast-Busua.jpg Gallery - Photography The coast of Ghana, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385345683-P5IHVJEN43S77KDB3WCC/Cliff%2Bvillage.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon village on the Bandiagara escarpment, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680384366432-RZI7M8WQG7V96ELPJJBR/dance-2.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon dancers, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680140405293-U46VIH1186AFHBBFD13A/dogon%2Bdance2.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon dancers, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680140486668-ANQ7IKTF41D7IM6F5O3A/dance4.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon dancers, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/95c8d978-7cb7-45b3-8099-c3f5734b90b7/Desert+Sunset.jpg Gallery - Photography The desert near Tombuctou, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385404489-9Z32YQRVK4RWIWZ5L710/Dixcove%2B1.jpg Gallery - Photography Ghana coast, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385493215-7PSRYDPEV8P0P6JAIE6R/Dixcove%252B2.jpg Gallery - Photography Ghana coast, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680384448343-JOM10H0B5A53SE2BOKI1/Djenne.jpg Gallery - Photography The mosque at Djenné, Mali, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680384553781-BV6U8HNCAZWJN0JNI9B2/djenne2.jpg Gallery - Photography Mopt, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680139873464-M6HI3KR9TQYC4YEVOMEA/dogon%2Bdance3.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon dancers, Mali, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e64ac167-97cb-479c-9360-7392bb7f9ad2/Dogon+elder+2.jpg Gallery - Photography An elder in a Dogon cliff village on the Bandiagara escarpment, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385580751-9CBY2PXIF4JX4ELXKZ3X/Dogon.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon countrty, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385652567-PT1OS64TA8AZTJABU3ZQ/Elephant-Mole%252C%2BGhana.jpg Gallery - Photography Mole National Park, Ghana 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/79d5ee92-e82a-4911-af2f-ec03b92a7dcc/elephant.jpg Gallery - Photography Mole National Park, Ghana 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385727053-BRK8FNJRC8WCJH6QDPTJ/FBT%2B4.jpg Gallery - Photography A classroom in Mali, 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680384081480-ICR7PG6FPLD5KTEZTMCU/Festival-Kon%2527Pen.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon esquestrians during a festival in Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387923536-X0L56Y9T428IKZ2FQE1L/Fort%2BMetal%2BCross%2B3.jpg Gallery - Photography Fort Metal Cross, Dixcove, Ghana 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680384142874-X2OO4CKC1CHBKN1J75G5/ghana2.jpg Gallery - Photography Baboons in Mole National Park, Ghana 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e7476265-0bb6-4d90-8a12-5139156e144e/ghana3.jpg Gallery - Photography Malian elephants, 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5f79cd21-5d6e-41f0-881e-472370750b27/Going+to+Bandiagara+to+sell+millet-+a+full+day+trip+on+donkey+cart.jpg Gallery - Photography Traveling on a donkey cart to Bandiagara on the Dogon escarpment, Mali 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4217f070-d6b1-448b-b739-669db13dc366/Grand+Toguna.jpg Gallery - Photography The grand toguna meeting structure in Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e90627df-4ac2-4933-860e-b6a6f957b6b8/IMG11.jpg Gallery - Photography Guarding the Presidential Palace in Dakar, Senegal, 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fb056cec-20ca-4835-be6b-1372fa7d4f1f/IMG15.jpg Gallery - Photography Stairs and the "door of no return" on Goré island, Senegal, 2002. Although it has a beautiful setting, this fort on Goré island has a long history of slave trading. The door to the left leads out to the ocean where slaves were loaded on to ships for the new world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385255328-4ZUN50W5UOC5V28MP8MW/Indep.%2BDay-Koporo-Pen.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon equestrians during a festival, Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3f8ab611-5fe4-49a7-afe4-787db0a7212e/Into+the+Sahara.jpg Gallery - Photography The desert near Tombuctou, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385794112-OU04NZD9WO4PRW5HLVKO/kids-2.jpg Gallery - Photography Kids near Hombori, Mali 2003. Photo: Julie Chang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680385997354-7RPH1TZ3YWSGWETR27CE/Kon%2527pen%2B2.jpg Gallery - Photography Granaries in the village of Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386044025-RHY0OVNDFJUS8MUEJTKC/Koporo-Pen%2B1.jpg Gallery - Photography Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680388180164-M40S9TGK8BJ6JRZULX5J/Market%2B4.jpg Gallery - Photography The market of Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680388539560-FOJI4HFSNRIQA65H15HO/Market%2B5.jpg Gallery - Photography Donkey cart parking during market day, Koporopen, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680388098133-6TR1YNZ0CPEXI68IJ598/Millet%2Bseed%2Bstalks%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bin%2BYawa.jpg Gallery - Photography Millet recently harvested in the village of Yawa, on the Bandiagara escarpment, Mali 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386120927-7DLSDEAME00RN5XIIJXH/Millet%2Bstorage%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bchief%2527s%2Bhouse%2Bin%2BYawa.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon village of Yawa, 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d403d22e-5908-49ee-8317-31560c6b085f/Millet+Storage-.jpg Gallery - Photography A Dogon granary storage with a Dogon door and lock, 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386186260-D0UTN5ZN8IJFRELQGLQG/mopti.jpg Gallery - Photography a Mosque in mopti, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fec677b8-55d5-4823-9f1d-14eb2aa0d7b2/Mosque+3-+Timbuktu.jpg Gallery - Photography A mosque in Tombouctou, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f459ed20-b32b-414b-b5b3-1ba559735115/Mosque+door+and+Dogon+lock.jpg Gallery - Photography A Dogon lock in the village of Koporopen, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386255960-YKKU4D651H2D7R24TS6I/Mosque-Timbuktu%2B3.jpg Gallery - Photography Mosque walls in Tombouctou, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386330231-68V7F10VHTS6R36KUC9I/mosque.jpg Gallery - Photography A mosque in Dogon country, Mali 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9859aa51-46c7-4bcc-900e-21aeb2f0a8b1/Niger+river+south+of+Timbuktu.jpg Gallery - Photography On the banks of the Niger river, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386430713-YFSN1LFZH4BLGP12A12R/Peul%2Bgirls%2B2.jpg Gallery - Photography Fulani girls dressed for a festival in the Dogon village of Kopropen, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386516765-IJSQGD5WF5VDLUO4DT16/Peul%2Bgirls%2Bin%2BKoporo-Pen%2Bfor%2BIndependance%2BDay-Sept.%2B22%252C%2B2003.jpg Gallery - Photography Fulani and Dogon girls dressed for a festival in the Dogon village of Kopropen, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680386621508-MXDPCX6BMKPBKTYNIOHH/peul2.jpg Gallery - Photography Visiting with a Fulani family near Koro, Mali 2003. Photo: Julie Chang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2ccd275c-ade6-4ec3-9bd0-9866cc309f18/PICT0074.JPG Gallery - Photography Having some drinks in Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e5cb01f8-f18c-48e1-8537-35a51c841992/PICT0084.JPG Gallery - Photography Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f10af5d0-dcd7-4675-81f4-efb87e46b342/PICT0100.JPG Gallery - Photography The road to Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8a4a8ef5-69b8-4f61-b852-1cd588d255d9/PICT0108.JPG Gallery - Photography Weaving grass matts in the Agni village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ac6382e1-a1fc-427c-ab82-9903c7802390/PICT0113.JPG Gallery - Photography a young Agni boy in the village of Essikro, Côte dIvoire 1999. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7103c1c1-e2ef-4f97-84cb-15c57a638cdd/PICT0129.JPG Gallery - Photography Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387194417-47V1JF7YCE3586ZCTS8F/PICT0142.jpg Gallery - Photography Cleaning the school yard in the village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ad94ad7e-f380-4edc-8998-c6a8758844c2/PICT0148.JPG Gallery - Photography Market day in Bondoukou, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7407aee6-c6a1-4fec-b5d5-49f1c7517a0e/PICT0150.JPG Gallery - Photography Building a roof in the village of Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/213f7a29-a021-4834-85e4-f59cf09e5136/PICT0152.JPG Gallery - Photography Storage in the village of Essikro, Côte dIvoire 1999. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fc7cc02a-145b-4ea7-a5b8-fcfb9e5430a9/PICT0156.JPG Gallery - Photography Blacksmith, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/17f700c0-22d9-4c61-aecb-b9ac88328d61/PICT0168.JPG Gallery - Photography Agni girl, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/31d8b72f-638e-4c69-8f9d-45edc74c1bc7/PICT0309.JPG Gallery - Photography Children playing, Côte d'Ivoiore, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dafcb8a0-d666-4915-bffe-71e602298b2a/PICT0366.JPG Gallery - Photography Agni girl, Côte d'Ivoire 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387255606-RFFI6R5KPZLIRS0ONG6R/PICT0400.jpg Gallery - Photography Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1179a035-3873-4c86-bf1c-4feb731fea88/PICT0417.JPG Gallery - Photography Côte d'Ivoire, 1999 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3d6747e0-c686-4d13-b292-11a1de823dcc/Sand+Storm+near+Koro+2.jpg Gallery - Photography Harmattan near Koro, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ce087004-2d98-4a79-baae-fb4ce91fe66d/Sand+Storm+near+Koro.jpg Gallery - Photography Harmattan near Koro, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/851e415f-da99-4bcc-8a5e-0ce530153c85/shrine+on+the+cliff+face.jpg Gallery - Photography Monkey skulls on a fetish structure in the Dogon Escarpment, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387317817-ZSIH5EYSQ2ET1VDCYGII/Small%2BDogon%2Bvillage-%2BPolio%2Bvacination%2Bcampaign.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon villagers on a polio vacination trip, 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ce022873-67a9-4647-871c-5d1632475716/Soumaila+Togo+and+I_2.jpg Gallery - Photography My friend Souliman in Koporopen, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/02ed98dd-9e16-43b9-befb-316a3a1d4244/Tellum+ruins.jpg Gallery - Photography Tellum grave structures on the Dogon Escarpment, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387405335-E81RR7CDD30ZI4V875AV/The%2BBaboons%2Band%2BI.jpg Gallery - Photography Mole National Park, Ghana 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/41b01d64-27fe-4b96-89d6-df8bded3b909/The+Chief+of+the+village+and+I.jpg Gallery - Photography The chief of Koporopen, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3c12cac3-ec63-4702-b2ae-3f983b005754/The+Health+Committee+and+I.jpg Gallery - Photography The health committee of Koporopen, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f55eb564-427b-40c5-be3d-50dcd8b1f3e5/Toguna+1.jpg Gallery - Photography Toguna, Koporopen 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cf3d0964-79dd-492e-9f6a-4b0d9da0e086/Working+to+the+beat+of+the+drummers.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon drummers in Koporopen giving a beat during digging for a well project, 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4671d11e-9b44-4e9f-a075-13aab3d07a4f/Toguna+in+village+of+Yawa+on+the+edge+of+the+cliff+face+%28meeting+place+for+elders--men--%29.jpg Gallery - Photography A toguna meeting structure in Bankass, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e1289aa1-b3a8-4985-b4ab-859f74ee5d45/Toguna.jpg Gallery - Photography A toguna meeting structure, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387619614-J5KO8SQAV5C92IZWRWD1/tuareg%252Bkoro.jpg Gallery - Photography A young Tuareg girl, Koro, Mali, 2002. Photo credit: Julie Chang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4e7bee82-dbe5-4165-96a0-7b78e39f89d7/Village+off+the+cliff+in+the+plains.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon country, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/86f6add4-8bd4-46f6-b001-6a7ef5f6df4d/Village-+Pounding+Millet.jpg Gallery - Photography Koporopen, Mali 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680388392093-1CPR3SLEB8LLP1SFTHE0/Waiting%2Bfor%2Btheir%2BPolio%2Bvacination.jpg Gallery - Photography Waiting for Polio vacinations. I traveled around with a Malian health group vacinating the children in more rural villages in the Dogon plains, Mali 2001. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9333c78c-47ee-40a5-a77c-d8abcdf6005d/Wedding.jpg Gallery - Photography I was invited to a wedding my first year in the Dogon village of Koporopen, Mali 2001. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6247c6c8-f901-452d-b047-a6f55709c1b5/IMG_7673.JPG Gallery - Photography A mosque in the Dogon village of Koporopen, 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8dde4d42-ee29-437b-873f-04b2eaf93842/IMG_7645.JPG Gallery - Photography Kids playing table soccer, Mali 2003. You can find one of these in most larger towns in Mali, 2003. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dbd2f08f-978e-4b78-8532-dc24c6020048/IMG_7640.JPG Gallery - Photography A malian classroom, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2a57e10c-bda5-413a-af8a-ff768b4fd771/My+House.jpg Gallery - Photography I lived in this house for 2 years in the Dogon village of Koporopen. 2001-2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ae2346d8-715d-4435-ab4c-1828b17a9330/sands.jpg Gallery - Photography A Harmattan sand storm in the Dogon village of Koporopen, Mali 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387819128-JFRH4K0V6A6U4HM80WPJ/well%2Bbefore%2Brepair.jpg Gallery - Photography Men pulling water for a well repair project in the Dogon village of Koporopen, 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6a31e6dc-56ca-4378-96b3-1af3a5e5c585/Dogon+latter.jpg Gallery - Photography A Dogon ladder in a village on the Bandiagara escarpment, 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387766127-5L61J8C6JJ66YV3QFUEV/Dogon%2BDance-2.jpg Gallery - Photography Dogon Dance at a festival, 2001 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680387710812-FNR410QECWOGSIS9BG7N/IMG_5036.jpg Gallery - Photography The beautiful Côte d'Ivoire visa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/383108b2-9356-4c2d-b8fb-0d98cbdaf397/View+off+the+Bandiagara+escarpment.jpeg Gallery - Photography Coming off of the Bandiagara escarpment and into the Dogon plains. ca. 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/77c6164c-a1a7-4b26-b1d1-499a2af3a622/IMG_2462.jpg Gallery - Photography A historic print of a gathering of Ewe chiefs in Ghana, 1960s (reprint) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5e74d9c6-56cc-407e-aeca-0c253f3f46a5/IMG_2463.jpg Gallery - Photography Gold Coast chiefs in Ghana, circa 1910 (reprint) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/18af4ce9-5f95-4d2c-9773-f02d56491b1f/IMG_3019.jpg Gallery - Photography An Akan chief with court in Ghana, circa 1920 (reprint) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8f4dd1fa-b78a-4c87-b414-102383345ca3/IMG_5225.jpg Gallery - Photography The Asantehene and court, 1961 (reprint) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/51971fd9-d4cc-414a-a413-53f8f67c50d8/IMG_5226.jpg Gallery - Photography Asante emissaries in Cape Coast, late 19th c. (reprint) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c240b0cb-4ddb-460c-9581-05e3ac5c2f1f/IMG_1164.JPG Gallery - Photography A sika blawa female figure from the collection in Situ, Côte d'Ivoire. Ex Collection Jean Paul Delcourt. Photo credit: Giovanni Franco Scanzi https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8 monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d6b269b6-7599-4e66-b292-3fb3a9c24f06/IMG_1143.JPG Gallery - Asante Umbrella Finial https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443784500-W2FE2JC3HAQRLHDY7FX9/tempImageIb8UBX.jpg Gallery - Asante Umbrella Finial https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1736030633329-JF5NRPA6SOMKV5EUXK3D/image-asset-2.jpg Gallery - Asante Umbrella Finial A print from a 1st edition of Bowdich's Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a Statistical Account of that Kingdom, 1819. This illustration shows Ashanti umbrellas in procession with various finials including the war horn finial. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bb649aa2-72f7-494d-a5d5-4b4ffd81c657/IMG_9318.jpg Gallery - Asante Umbrella Finial https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8b189a5b-40ae-4746-8f5b-31a6797b408d/IMG_9319.jpg Gallery - Asante Umbrella Finial https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7b13ec2a-d1bb-46fd-ab86-f820dc9b1ac9/africa-state-umbrella-7558373.jpg Gallery - Asante Umbrella Finial An English wood engraving, 1874 of a state umbrella taken from (Coomassie) Kumasi during the Ashantee war. Note the finial of the segmented cane babadua which is usually associated with queen mothers, strength, and resilience. The same segmented cane design can be seen below the war horn image on the example in the collection. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-fyrl7 monthly 0.5 2026-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f6005520-e822-495b-89ba-93e8fb9ddcdf/weight5.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Men in the process of weighing gold dust, photographed on the Ivory Coast in 1892. From Marcel Monnier’s France Noire Cote d’Ivoire et Soudan, 1894. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/223c0aad-91d8-4c14-8f4c-220f1c6b3aff/F96C97CC-67BE-4E02-9198-A3D92B4E6422.JPG Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante items of the gold trade, displayed with natural gold nuggets from various locations. The scales (Nsania) were used to weigh out gold with cast bronze “gold weights”. The two weights here are from natural, direct cast forms of a beetle and a crab claw. A gold dust box, "adaka" to the left was used to hold small amounts of gold dust and nuggets. The spoon “Nsawa” was used to measure out gold dust to the scales. This spoon is embossed with a crab image that has proverbs associated with gold. “Even the crab, that lives where the gold dust is, eats palm nuts. (Palm nuts are supposed to be the food of poor people), and “It is the crab that knows where the gold dust is to be found.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a3ebaad8-7618-401c-8d58-496432932c5d/IMG_5747.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f3aef415-83d4-49d1-a904-a2ff2e4c934d/IMG_5750.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3e76c44e-d05e-4974-ac04-a8713b7ac479/3E08BCFA-709C-4E91-BDCE-1FD32561E197.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante gold dust box, "adaka" with an intricately designed lid, Ghana, copper alloy. H 2.5cm. W 6.5cm. (Displayed with natural gold nuggets from various locations.) Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu, p. 46. Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8bc24010-39f9-4681-baa5-db03241ffd59/IMG_9763.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8ecf784b-83ae-4ef8-8d4a-b9a8002dbc80/IMG_9767.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c319262d-231a-4bbc-81d0-a81950869760/IMG_0725.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante brass gold dust pan/scoop (Famfa), Ghana. Brass scoops like this one were used as gold pans to separate the gold dust particles from the surrounding material. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/422127f3-2514-45c8-af80-745b1bc8e538/IMG_0722.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/43e58583-be47-4763-92e7-276d65e6e01e/IMG_8074.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/786d1673-a7d3-402a-a6f1-1858e2d5e5ad/tempImageykglP0.png Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante brass gold dust spoon “Nsawa (saawa)”. Embossed brass sheet with crab image and overall crocodile form. WEIGHT 35.2 Shown here with natural gold grain. ex Netherlands private collection, ex The Africa Museum, Berg en Dal, The Netherlands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a00027ba-8c46-4cb6-89f7-4c5de84f363c/IMG_0746.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante copper alloy embossed gold dust spoon “Nsawa (saawa)” with a deep repoussé crocodile back pattern. Used for measuring out gold dust to the scales. 3" L. Ghana. Ex Bruce Burt, Rincon Puerto Rico, previously New York, NY where he owned a gallery of African Art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7884d814-b12a-497b-8970-609e5c05d921/IMG_7863.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante bronze alloy gold dust spoon “Nsawa (saawa)”. 3.5' L. Ghana. Late 19th century to early 20th. Ex Sir Cecil Armitage Collection. Dating to the second half of the 19th century to early 20th. Sir Cecil Armitage, Governor of Gambia (1921-27) after an exemplary military career in the Gold Coast from 1895. Many items were purchased in London, UK in the 1970s-early 80s. The Armitage items were purchased at Christie's, London in 1975. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1795c613-aad3-4bf0-acd1-3c42d48ac4ad/IMG_7281.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Captain Sir Cecil Armitage, Chief Commissioner of Northern Territories photographed with Ashanti Chiefs and their entourage. ca. 1910 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f104f281-91d9-4079-8abe-2fb6a8a39128/IMG_7860.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade An Akan gold weight with a center hole. This weight has a heavily aged patina and shows signs of its age and use. Ex Sir Cecil Armitage Collection. Dating to the second half of the 19th century to early 20th. Sir Cecil Armitage, Governor of Gambia (1921-27) after an exemplary military career in the Gold Coast from 1895. Many items were purchased in London, UK in the 1970s-early 80s. The Armitage items were purchased at Christie's, London in 1975. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/551e820e-ab1a-4fcb-87d0-b42b4247c5f3/IMG_7859.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/415c8c3b-673f-4c94-a81d-bde5203b526c/IMG_7855.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade An Akan copper alloy gold weight with a geometric line pattern and heavy patina. Lead was added to the surface for weight correction, .5" x .5". Ghana. Ex Sir Cecil Armitage Collection, dating to the second half of the 19th century to early 20th. Sir Cecil Armitage, Governor of Gambia (1921-27) after an exemplary military career in the Gold Coast from 1895. Many items were purchased in London, UK in the 1970s-early 80s. The Armitage items were purchased at Christie's, London in 1975. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/970c70c0-1043-43f8-92ce-44a972635c60/IMG_7856.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/564f26ce-3f6a-4cc3-a3e1-d0b39b28759b/IMG_7833.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade An Akan copper alloy gold weight with a geometric pattern consisting of two rows of consecutive triangle patterns forming diamonds on a 1' L rectangle. Lead has been added for weight adjustment which has filled in the majority of the diamond shapes. The obverse has an incised collection catalog number. Ghana. Ex Sir Cecil Armitage Collection, dating to the second half of the 19th century to early 20th. Sir Cecil Armitage, Governor of Gambia (1921-27) after an exemplary military career in the Gold Coast from 1895. Many items were purchased in London, UK in the 1970s-early 80s. The Armitage items were purchased at Christie's, London in 1975. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/92e17db0-9a18-44be-bc15-c06315eb3c94/IMG_7834.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/59ac2f6a-137c-4fc8-b573-85b3a9bebba8/IMG_1556.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante gold weights (22) and a scale, "nsania" Ghana, brass. H 0.5 - 14.5cm. ex Collection of Michael von Schenck (1931), Basel. 1980-1983 Swiss Ambassador in Ghana, ex Swiss private collection, Ticino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/be557fc1-a669-4169-a4a3-edc94fbb9ba6/IMG_0990.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade A group of seven Asante goldweights. 1.- a goldweight in the form of a Asante shield. 2.-A goldweight in the form of the double crocodile which shares a single stomach. 3.- A goldweight in the form of a Asante stool. 4.- A geometric goldweight. 5.-A geometric goldweight 6. A geometric goldweight. 7.- A geometric goldweight. ex Gallery Walu, Zurich, Fred (1933-2021) and Ilse (1934-2021) Mayer, Zurich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2f50c869-d8d0-4927-abec-e0b9bdef95c0/IMG_7885.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Akan cast copper alloy gold weights. All the insects (beetles and locust) were cast from nature meaning that the dried, dead insect was directly moulded and heated until the insect's body burned away completely, leaving the hollow mould to then pour the molten metal into. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/84291428-07e5-45ce-b95f-d7ee70244263/IMG_0741.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante cast bronze gold weight, 34mm long x 13mm wide. Direct cast of a beetle from the Curculionidae family. It is a variant of the beetle which seems to be an important figure among the Baoule of the Ivory Coast. A proverb related to this insect in Goldgewichte Akan Goldweights": "If you don't like the taste of the palm beetle, console yourself with its grub." ex collection of Christiane Rivière, Saujon, France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680746694050-G194V05BCU3UWBDGRDOK/tempImagev5ajAI.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante gold weight in the form of a beetle,1 3/8 in. Provenance: E. Lorenz "Larry" Borenstein, New Orleans, Nov. 1973; 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; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/318369af-768b-4ab9-8cd7-9bb22a644a21/JPEG+image-E46B5DCDE711-1.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade This is an unusual Asante gold weight of a grasshopper cast directly from nature. During this process, the grasshopper is directly embedded within the clay or moulding material with the attached wax sprue and cup (a way to get the metal to the grasshopper) and fired until the grasshopper's body shell is completely burned away leaving the hollow void in the shape of the insect. The metal is then poured into the hollow mould. Once cooled, the clay is carefully broken away and removed from the cast metal. In this example, the casting sprue and cup is still attached to the grasshopper casting which is typically cut off of the finished casting. Cast copper alloy with a beautiful patina. 1.625" H x 3" L, Ghana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/322afffe-38b5-47dd-9d34-57825550ce73/JPEG+image-BEB24E8E1832-1.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Another Asante beetle gold weight, directly cast from nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3ca89e71-ffad-402f-89c1-afca9de48b6d/IMG_7882.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Three Akan gold weights of Locusts (grasshoppers). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/00aef32b-687d-4a0e-a490-3b7d389c1ce3/IMG_7922.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Six Akan beetle gold weights cast from nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d4dd6f4e-d07e-49db-9047-0b1ad0ba8789/IMG_9109.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade 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; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f31932c9-d05d-4a4f-b9e5-73ebf26da6e5/IMG_9105.JPEG Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante bronze gold weight in the form of a crab claw (direct cast from nature), 1 1/4 in. Provenance: E. Lorenz "Larry" Borenstein, New Orleans, Nov. 1973; 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; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ad1327ba-ad9a-4628-858a-84447e000546/IMG_9106.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante bronze gold weight in the form of a crab claw, 1 1/4 in. Provenance: E. Lorenz "Larry" Borenstein, New Orleans, Nov. 1973; 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; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e5ee080e-c788-4968-824a-7bf96719fb3d/IMG_9111.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade 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; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2fe3976b-2ba4-4c1d-b311-bd34e4db7d04/IMG_9095.JPEG Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante bronze gold weight of an Asante stool, 2 1/4 in. Provenance: Gift of James B. Brynes, New Orleans, July 1967, 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; Published/ exhibited: William A. Fagaly, New Orleans Collects: African Art, Isaac Delgado Museum of Art, Feb. 2-Mar. 31, 1968, cat. no. 68; Peggy McDowell, Traditional Art of Africa, Art Department Gallery, Newcomb College, Tulane University, New Orleans, Feb. 9-21, 1969, p.7, cat. no. 29. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6292c897-9ae3-4643-a1b2-2b45ca32791b/IMG_9121.JPEG Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Two Asante 19th c. gold weight in the shape of a Elephant tail fly whisk (mena). Bronze. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bffeb520-88f9-499b-b288-d74f3b6248fb/IMG_8993.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante cast bronze gold weight in the shape of a sea shell. 25 grams. 4.5cm x 4 cm. EX Italian private collection, Este, Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/89dfc077-7555-4cc4-b24b-448c12a90d8f/IMG_3854.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante copper alloy gold weight in the form of an oil lamp. 35mm H. Ex UK private collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/abc0dc59-f2ee-4d14-95a9-3416f3bc6596/IMG_5786.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante gold weight in the form of a gong. 57mm L. 18.2 g. Ex private German collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1dcd9490-dc9c-46e3-bd14-09b4e2609a6e/Subject+2.png Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade A group of four Asante goldweights. Cast copper alloy. 1. Goldweight in the form of a cartridge belt,appr. 5.5 x 2.3 x 0.8 cm, 12 grams. 2. Goldweight in the form of a royal state sword, 6.6 x 1.2 x 1.1 cm, 12.4 grams. 3. Goldweight in the form of a rare sword, appr. 5.3 x 2.3 x 0.6 cm, 16.0 grams. 4. Goldweight in the form of a elephant tail fly whisk (“mena”), appr. 6.0 x 1.3 x 0.5 cm, 7.3 grams. Ex private Netherlands collection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b27b3965-39a6-46cd-bef4-6c226dd45abc/Subject+3.png Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade An Akan copper alloy goldweight in the form of a royal sword with sword ornament. 60mm, 17g. Ex private German Collection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c7b1acad-80f6-4a26-907f-ba2ff7a093e1/IMG_4430.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Asante gold weight in the form of a chief’s chair. Height approx. 46mm. Weight: approx. 22.2 g. Copper alloy EX German collection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bc47fc5a-0504-42be-9417-f2f5ca916bd9/IMG_4675.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Three colonial era relics from the former colony of the Gold Coast (Ghana). These copper alloy keys were found with and most likely were used as gold weights. Items of European origin which found their way into the fabric of the Akan imagery became status and prestige symbols for the owners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/96b6323c-f2ae-4a31-af25-b2bd87464e05/IMG_4400.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/aa5481f8-f237-4e8d-b0f0-7c9389573c18/IMG_4272.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/db2f0697-16fc-4dfe-938f-490c35ab1ee8/0AFE842F-0605-4C7A-BDA1-2FD84E68B906.JPG Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Lidded container, "kuduo" Asante, Ghana. Brass. H 6.5 cm. Ø 11.5 cm. Shown in the Jean-Louis Picard catalog (Collection Roger Budin), Paris, October 8, 1991, lot 174, and described there as follows: "Djenne, Mali. Bronze receptacle box, tripod. Lid and handle, reminiscent by its shape although the term is improper for a Kuduo. Superb patina of excavation with green and blue slip. Supreme decorative refinement of the lid decorated with a motif of Power wheel and a fine border frieze in adjourned type. We are in the presence of one of the rare copies known to date of this type of object. A moving testimony to the talent, an undeniable technical and aesthetic success of this great African art. (Small accidents.) In the current state of dating techniques, no research laboratory accepts to take the risk of rigorous precision, but stylistically, some very close terracotta pieces are located as dating from 4th- 8th centuries. Kuduo vessels originally came from northern regions and found their way into the Akan culture through the earliest trade relations, where they served various functions, including rituals, as valuable status symbols. Provenance: Estate of Roger Budin (1928- 2005), Geneva. Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalog: Helvetisches Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu. Page 48. Exhibited: Helvetian Gold Museum Burgdorf (2009). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/141cef34-6e16-4e76-be43-4efe134c83e4/IMG_0530.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2780388b-94d1-4a27-9fcf-d69902535813/IMG_0532.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dfb1974c-beaf-4cc2-a108-b5dbe2dd9c98/IMG_0534.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9f384db0-7e65-48ee-beaa-dfa7953fff6d/IMG_0535.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1bba7984-24b0-49d9-90f9-1cf9428a7c92/IMG_0536.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c62bdd35-1cce-4e20-854f-62aeca454ed5/IMG_0538.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/45a2b12f-9fe5-4c08-8c91-4d1b2507ef32/IMG_1544.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Gold dust box, "adaka" Asante, Ghana, copper alloy. H 2.5cm. diameter 5 cm Provenance: René David (1928-2015) Exhibited: International Museum of the Gulf of Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu, p. 46 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/646fd995-e76e-4bd9-be4b-eb942a779574/IMG_1549.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9adb64c0-cab9-42a9-80e9-7f5275b17c7d/IMG_1545.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ff382540-9a3b-4dae-99c2-bf424a58e58f/IMG_9617.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Lidded container, "kuduo" Asante, Ghana. Brass. H 23 cm. Kuduo vessels originally came from northern regions and found their way into the Akan culture through the earliest trade relations, where they served various functions, including rituals, as valuable status symbols. Provenance: Galerie Walu, Zurich. Switzerland (1993) Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalog: Helvetisches Goldmuseum Burgdorf. Gold in West African art. Zurich: Walu Gallery, page 46. Exhibited: Helvetian Gold Museum, Burgdorf (2009). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1312aef3-cbd0-414f-a0d1-20cb6d6c820d/IMG_9621.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/45745105-6187-4cdd-adce-664d476a1caf/IMG_9631.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b4df0084-46de-4a5e-8d8e-504c28b4d3c8/IMG_7625.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade A near identical kuduo in The British Museum (museum number Af1978,22.149) produced between 1850-1927 and was part of the collection of Sir Cecil Armitage, an ex Gold Coast soldier (1895) and later Governor of The Gambia from 1921-1927. This kuduo shares the same details and metal alloy as the example in Mooscollection which suggests that it was made by the same artisan or workshop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4cc16dae-25c5-4eca-bc61-74dd33273545/IMG_4262.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade An old Asante lidded container (Kuduo). H 9.5 cm, Dia: 9.5. Older Asante containers hold importance and history for their owners and often go through a series of repairs as this example demonstrates. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b9fa22bb-279a-4546-a460-c05389b7bd60/IMG_4260.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0a61e3e5-6cbc-4cd2-8d79-e0dfb9910fdf/IMG_4265.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/62f5c188-dbff-4665-b0f3-e2acd82602e7/IMG_4592.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Another old Asante lidded container (Kuduo). H 8.5 cm, Dia: 9. Approx. 407g, copper alloy. Older Asante containers hold importance and history for their owners and often go through a series of repairs as this example demonstrates. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/de0a14b0-fa1b-4b13-983a-5832d3910c23/IMG_4591.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/19841f18-32ac-42e0-8889-824e2cad63a7/IMG_4593.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/adb65315-6585-469f-baaa-6914bb385a2f/IMG_4600.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680748628274-6ESDTYA05ALHO1DZHKU8/Pasted%2BGraphic%2B1.jpg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Container for Gold Dust, Snuff, or Tobacco (Adakawa), Mid–/late 19th century, Akan-speaking peoples. Ghana; manufactured in England, Coastal West Africa. ex private dealer collection, Rincon, Puerto Rico. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9b00c0d3-1c80-4d62-bf0d-ded62a3a50a4/IMG_1426.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1db11363-39ec-47ff-a8a4-2ecea02480b9/IMG_6910.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade Three Asante lidded repoussé and embossed brass containers “forowa”. largest 8'”dia. Ghana. The Asante containers called Forowa were used to store Shea butter, a versatile vegetable fat that also works as a cosmetic. During ceremonies, the paste mixed with gold dust was also applied as full-body jewelry.The cylindrical cans are made of sheet brass, with the joints usually riveted with copper pins. They usually have a perforated base and a dome-shaped lid. They are usually decorated all around with punched and/or chased geometric patterns and figurative motifs from Akan mythology. Provenance: The estate collection of Dr. Roy and Sophia Sieber https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9c43ede1-c9b2-4e89-aed7-4fc50810b403/IMG_6917.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a8b2f206-deb4-4f8e-8a36-a42ce7850bd2/IMG_6913.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b6291577-7b83-4774-b66f-42e9e64ebdf3/IMG_6911.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ff6c1c20-8d69-45be-9f78-e4f5b5f02c7c/IMG_6912.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9aaee571-a2fe-4c01-8f62-a3ea70383392/IMG_6914.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/465c5ffc-b68f-4806-ae9a-f0139dcf688c/IMG_6918.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/700ccb70-9481-4ddb-90e4-d964b6e5ee4f/IMG_6920+2.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/edc5cd81-11a0-44a2-998e-bf33ddb1b14f/IMG_6920.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d3670202-d17a-4cb6-9c3b-f84ea814b30c/IMG_6915.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/21880dc6-de9a-4b5c-9825-4cf875818f07/IMG_6919.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ea73bb17-064d-4312-9498-ac6d280128c5/IMG_8065.jpeg Gallery - Akan Objects of the Gold Trade https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds monthly 0.5 2024-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cf7c9d5d-678e-4280-aa8e-b339124949ba/tempImageCZJISD.png Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) Asante court regalia: Asante Atuotumfoɔ (Gun bearers/ Bodyguards) bandolier (ntoa). Leather, textile, steel, wood, hammered gold foil and staples. Atuotumfoɔ (gun bearers) are Asante court officials most closely translated as “bodyguards, executioners, and constabulary”. (D.Ross). EX Galerie Walu (1990) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cb4bfdcb-1518-4e34-a735-9689418d3b5d/IMG_0025.jpeg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f0a105bc-412f-48dc-9087-41b9066853a3/IMG_0026.jpeg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e7733790-3e84-4e8b-a6e5-048afa386a67/IMG_0029.jpeg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/caebfc0e-9029-4941-8f36-5368afc60746/IMG_0031.jpeg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0c360c03-7657-4f5e-b719-9fc6af17ced2/IMG_1162.jpg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) The bandolier displayed here with the short sword of the Atuotumfoɔ (Gun Bearer). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98b68cb0-27b4-4023-b76e-fea2fb661574/IMG_5443.jpg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) An Asante Gunbearer’s (adumfoɔ and atumtufoɔ) regalia ornament. This example is cast in copper alloy, 7.6cm H and would have been attached to a bandolier “ntoa” or other gunbearer’s regalia item. The stylized form represents the red seashells that once adorned some state swords and are still found on an occasional sepɔ (executioner’s knife). These shells were apparently traded from the Canary Islands at a very early date, at least before 1474, when the Portuguese noted their presence on the coast (Blake 1942, 206). They were considered very valuable and according to Garrard “were worth their weight in gold” (Ross). Cast examples are mainly seen in gold and there are examples which are closely modeled after the cockle shell and many stylized variations which sometimes look like beetle forms. The wearing of real and cast gold shells originated from a widespread belief among Akan communities that they protected people from lightning strikes, from bullets and other projectiles. (B.M.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b15b742e-5675-4d05-a728-347a4ec50ef4/IMG_5432.jpg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ea8df8eb-154f-490c-9ff5-4dc4bb043dca/IMG_5454.jpg Gallery - Asante Court Gunbearer’s bandolier (ntoa) https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4 monthly 0.5 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/23417773-5714-4fed-976d-c3d5c2e63fd7/Screenshot+2025-03-24+at+8.36.29%E2%80%AFPM+%282%29.png Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) Sacred Akan memorial grove. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/70ea150b-d7cf-4cd6-a5d3-d64ada3ed547/DAEB3042-CAA0-45DF-ADED-B7A65A5CD480.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) An Asante memorial head (Nsodie) 19th c. Asante, Ghana. Terracotta. H 20.5 cm. Thermoluminescent age determination: 180 years (+/- 20%). This portrait feels like it has captured the individual’s likeness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/17d7e6d6-6220-49b8-87f4-4e91ed8ee3b0/BB0B6705-56E3-4D89-953F-E9D4E8ACE2C5.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/58914948-557b-4b1e-a09e-611fc46efdc7/521DF686-0DF0-493B-8658-7C0CC153BBE8.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98a1fec1-8350-415c-a2f6-1ee2ef8fa6fc/921BFDCE-0633-4E8F-A77C-365210423D97.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c82226f2-f889-41d9-8ab3-cd440b82943c/6FB15A40-3FF3-42C3-980D-697EFBDDFEA7.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d6190a97-a933-41aa-903e-eb4db29b1825/BD4DECE0-700C-4AD0-A9FD-D379AB2B1D74.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/46df5055-ef63-4242-9657-e74dca066dab/IMG_5400.PNG Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) Akan terracotta memorial head (Mma)(Nsodie), Ghana. Idealized heads were made by woman posthumously to honor and commemorate the individual after death. 7.5” H. Terracotta, pigment, break and repair at neck. Provenance: Howard S. Rose Gallery, NYC. From a private Florida collection by descent to grandson. Acquired from Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., NYC. June 19, 1968. Lot 195. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8f7c0a81-2eea-4ade-9621-5bae448b9fea/IMG_5404.PNG Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3e914d67-1877-47ad-9d99-d6ea3e676d20/IMG_5401.PNG Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/559e2b65-d53f-4de7-9056-785e201fb210/IMG_7604.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) Another beautifully rendered Akan-Twi memorial head “Nsodie”, Ghana. Terracotta (partial missing sections). Height 8 3/4in (22.5cm). Although the portrait is an idealized representation, careful attention was given to the individual’s likeness and identity such as her elaborate hairstyle and scarification. “Since the late sixteenth century, Akan women potters have created ceramic heads and sometimes complete figures to commemorate deceased royals and individuals of high status. During the funeral, family members placed the terracotta portraits of the deceased in a sacred grove near the cemetery, sometimes with representations of other family members. These sculptures served as the focal point for funerary rites in which libations and food were offered to the ancestors.” Provenance: Arte Primitivo, Howard S. Rose Gallery NYC, Bonhams NYC, California Private Collection, L'Huillier & Associes, Paris, M. Letu Collection, France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f34c99f1-93e6-4401-93bb-03a099e6630d/IMG_7605.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f8df7619-b236-4afe-b056-05dcf000a0dd/IMG_7632.PNG Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/08a171c5-1118-431d-90b6-d0b4a107b233/IMG_7603.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/668c266a-ecc9-4377-85dc-1e403f825e17/IMG_7524.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b975df91-6cbf-4100-b1d2-aa2b271d9439/IMG_7934.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) Akan-Twi memorial head "Nsodie", Ghana. Terracotta (partial missing sections). Height 6.25 in. Ex Robert and Nancy Nooter Collection, Washington, D.C. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/68c263b0-ae0c-4553-9963-0b8e38d4787d/IMG_7935.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/74c30d26-3e09-4d90-a338-87288e2a749b/IMG_7936.jpg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/92e5c00b-f974-45ce-bda5-6f96c29777d2/IMG_3564+2.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) A small Akan- Twi memorial head. Ghana. H 6" x 3" W. Elaborately modeled hairstyle and scarification. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/72c6b24b-9ddc-40ee-b78f-039f57328440/IMG_3791.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fef2033b-adda-4222-8f24-64dc2a2b0fdc/IMG_3789.jpeg Gallery - Akan Memorial Heads (Nsodie)(Mma) https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9e871543-76db-49f5-b82c-96c34916c3b5/2A379CA9-10E3-4C66-B151-6A4D1DBEFB83.jpeg Gallery - Asante Oil Lamps An Akan Ceramic Lamp , 19th century. Raised on a circular base. Human face features of the top “finial”. Called 'Abusua Kuruwa' for shrine/ancestors. Height 9 1/2 inches. Provenance: The Property of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Governor and Mrs. G. Mennen Williams. Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams (February 23, 1911 – February 2, 1988) was the 41st Governor of Michigan, elected in 1948 and serving six two-year terms in office. He later served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President John F. Kennedy and Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Exhibited: Meadow Brook Art Gallery, Rochester, Michigan, February 1-March 3, 1968 Detroit Historical Museum, January 16-June 16, 1978 Wayne State University, July 1980-January 1981 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c6d9d637-d79c-4cbe-8386-a1413ae43979/32B626F8-08E0-4D62-A673-709D0EA16DAA.jpeg Gallery - Asante Oil Lamps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/59785929-dbd7-492c-91b3-7b81b99ddf48/36EF2489-C14C-48B2-AE43-31FEBC3C90DD.jpeg Gallery - Asante Oil Lamps Asante oil lamp. Cast bronze. The animals depicted on the edge of the shell (among other things 6 birds) refer to proverbs such as "Birds of the same species drink from the same pond". The stem takes the form of the segmented cane babadua also seen in many forms of Asante art (umbrella finials, bracelets) and carries the same attributes of strength and resilience. Ex Carlo Monzino (1931-1996), Castagnola https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4e6a8b6e-b161-4041-9f50-6fbdaa592b30/62E5CBCA-E388-41EF-A8AD-CB09CB3E27B2.jpeg Gallery - Asante Oil Lamps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/18a0d776-ed34-4cbe-8500-d1589d0dcdd0/IMG_3854.jpg Gallery - Asante Oil Lamps Asante copper alloy gold weight in the form of an oil lamp. 35mm H. Ex UK private collection. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs monthly 0.5 2024-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7dde4ef5-067e-41ca-a602-0bceb6644f29/IMG_0648.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books Author: Bowdich, Thomas Edward Title: Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a Statistical Account of that Kingdom, and Geographical Notices of other Parts of the Interior of Africa. Place Published: London Publisher: John Murray Date Published: 1819, First Edition Description: viii, [2], 512 pp. Illustrated with 16 plates, comprising: engraved map frontispiece, additional engraved map, 7 hand-colored aquatint engravings (two of which folding), 2 uncolored folding plates, and 5 pages of engraved sheet music. (4to) early half calf and marbled boards. First Edition Account of Bowdich's travels to the Asante Empire, with great detail on the language and customs of the region. Abbey Travel 279; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0d230174-2ffe-4f27-94d8-5123587948f4/IMG_0650.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/91a30092-5396-48b2-9ecc-249ebd1352ed/image-asset-2.jpg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1c969bca-fd98-427e-ab52-1c752876c01f/IMG_0651.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/11980ce4-f667-4472-b7f7-4b1d95ac3b35/IMG_0710.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books The Downfall of Prempeh I, A diary of life with the native Levy in Ashanti 1895-1896. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1896. Very Good Condition first edition hardcover. Original green cloth with gilt cover image of the author in military action, gilt titles to spine, all bright, ends and corners show wear. Book measures approximately 9" x 6" with 198 numbered pages.The author was Robert Baden-Powell, who would go on to become the founder of the Scouting movement. At the time of this writing he was a well regarded young British Military Officer who was assigned to lead a "native levy", (apparently Nigerian militia) in one of a series of British military campaigns in the area which is now Ghana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ca695249-678d-4c84-97aa-a211987036eb/IMG_0714.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9975816-2ebf-40fd-8305-797f0863629f/IMG_0992.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f937ea94-d98c-4ba4-a34f-c79618c6331f/IMG_0993.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3dad0169-dfef-480d-b775-9f9de8eae44b/IMG_0994.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/94ee3ee5-c7e5-4a00-a93d-c9b92cf0df65/IMG_0995.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ecde1dc3-9fe2-43d8-8b5d-c0a45cbd7455/IMG_0996.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/37eb8724-f248-4daf-a48d-9c6bbe6cadea/IMG_0998.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4a79f3ce-fb0f-4117-8c19-966ce6e85ab8/IMG_0999.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2351f8f3-f441-443e-a3ff-90dde9e84477/IMG_1004.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/562123a0-13fb-401f-8e83-2deb9a3a57db/IMG_1005.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/abde84c6-2cf9-4d00-a1f0-b9c88b387739/IMG_1007.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b29760bd-b350-4e26-b8db-9e24dd77758f/IMG_1008.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fbac55fd-42a9-4782-8929-62c539489aee/IMG_1009.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/44430b0b-8aab-41af-974a-76743a12daf1/IMG_1010.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b043593b-6d26-4bdf-9f7c-fd7f6b6ad73d/IMG_1013.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/84b4484e-703c-43ad-8d87-12b4f5d85023/IMG_1014.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9877dd9-4070-4889-8f65-cfd6b1ac0871/IMG_1016.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d658a777-56dd-4911-a958-f50985bd8f81/IMG_0991.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2f3efc90-39f3-46c0-8348-23b9e617909e/IMG_1018.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0378dc80-74a1-4fc2-9755-83cf4eab77d8/IMG_1020.jpeg Gallery - Antique Historic Books https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk monthly 0.5 2023-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b0ee028a-bba4-40c7-a592-10542fd68df3/F0BAE3FA-4E5F-4032-812B-F47C3A495223.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns A Dogon hunter’s rifle with amulets, whistle, agate beads, coins, indigo cloth, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f69f62fe-8f3a-4389-a8b9-a5a0792db761/747524D2-97C4-4614-8210-EFD4D573889D.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/87404c8c-62bf-45ab-8340-5a10295eb475/DCDC1934-A8BB-466D-AE9B-9E0DBF76F789.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns A Dogon hunter’s gear bag with amulets, whistle, fire starter, and various tools, and a Dogon flint lock pistol, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dc15c977-6461-4594-9334-c0b0dfaddf6d/DF7EE194-6408-4D70-9BAB-AE016BD5BBD2.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns A Dogon hunter’s protection tunic, Woven mud dyed cotton, leather protective amulets with various materials, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/699b3557-81fe-40c4-9333-c97c6c97a07a/F1EAD59E-AC3F-45A3-8FFE-9D37B56E3A9B.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns This old flintlock pistol came from the Dogon village where I lived in Mali—collected in 2002. It is unique because I believe the barrel and some other parts are much older, surviving (French?) colonial era pieces. The carved wood stock/ handle and some other forged steel parts and screws are Dogon made. The barrel has beveled planes that transition to a round end. It is also engraved with barely readable hallmarks, numbers, and a fern branch pattern. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5e39e323-ae79-4c99-9924-108f7f63c190/C07B69FE-37BC-4BA5-9C4A-D2C99B0C900E.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fdb9770c-ae3a-411f-a442-08eeccffbafd/101CC36D-1734-4A38-9612-2CD39C404A6E.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/57a1c952-1eb7-4a1f-a1d3-4c9ce5864890/47428CCE-10CD-4E3C-A342-A272FD37F2BD.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c797b982-1ffc-45e3-8be9-ecbae4904326/D5AAC36C-1514-4323-964D-8B815D836EC7.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d48cef26-7568-4928-a327-7c591deccba2/406C503E-15F2-43DE-8C45-E213C6642B86.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/18a89cc2-dfa7-46d5-b0be-9e849582ad0f/2DADA11D-CD51-4630-834B-5AF19DCDDD24.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9efe9a5f-2f39-41da-935e-4fb030cabafc/4AD1BE43-50B6-4D18-9E7C-27C76562FE9A.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/15c5dd2d-1cf5-4a76-8ae2-8c1ef0ff1953/Pasted+Graphic+21.png Gallery - Dogon Flintlock Guns This is a unique Dogon toy gun. Made from carved wood and steel with a string strap. The steel pin would have been attached at its end to the trigger by a rubber band. The barrel would be filled with broken off match ends and when the rubber band is hit, it releases the pin that is partly pulled out of the barrel causing it to slide back in on the barrel's inner edge creating friction and spark to ignite the match ends, making the "pop" sound. Collected in Koporopen, Mali https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk-kxjz9 monthly 0.5 2023-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1b80161f-78d5-4f76-8bff-dced8c2e510e/dance-2.jpg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade Dogon dancer. Photo credit Julie Chang. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/df087e44-4430-47ce-8fb8-a974bbcd30f0/DSC_0063-4.jpg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade Mask and Vest Representing a Fulani Woman (Bede). Raffia, coins, cowrie shells, glass beads, plant fiber, metal, hair, plastic,mirrors, encrusted baobab fruit gourds, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/18bf677c-97aa-471a-92fa-89c1574376f7/A04F410F-E8AA-455D-BB28-1583F26B335E.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a23d9321-7429-4fd4-92ec-9c1a7c2af890/DSC_0075-4.jpg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8c5da177-ec43-47a7-9779-5a281d2daaad/5EE2BC64-D222-4F04-8455-07D2A512ACFB.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f04e0754-85e2-4bfe-bd9f-ef136a5b04a0/DSC_0091-4.jpg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/90588af7-6413-4855-b0d4-ba171a156beb/C59FD9B1-E7DB-44F3-8596-20C3C97AA131.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f79edbbd-2157-4395-91c6-77206bec212b/2F8C9F8B-BE65-49F7-ABAD-BC9D33324A27.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/448ae4f2-7da6-4373-b329-16bc9efb8c13/B3E8ECC0-CF02-4FD3-8D50-8F27617E2FFE.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/18503618-a354-4225-ad90-dc442cbb0d27/IMG_4613.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/47ae9e4a-862a-4ee3-976b-41084b92bc05/IMG_4656.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/57825eab-30ed-48e5-91a3-2318b8f700df/IMG_4650.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a5bd6375-35c9-4a01-9662-8c39a6de4360/IMG_4644.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0570aa99-d44f-4326-aae0-2fbc3e65c29b/IMG_4621.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e71746de-f750-41f6-8791-c1057babcc60/IMG_4616.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/69a36dc0-4f09-4e9e-a44d-99436bdb3669/IMG_4657.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Dancing Masquerade https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk-kxjz9-swtxl monthly 0.5 2026-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1f9064c4-a754-4ea2-b048-43285baea20a/IMG_5221.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt Dogon dancing shirts. Indigo dyed, knitted cotton and bronze bells. Collected in situ, the Dogon village of Pomorodoudiou, in the Dogon plains south east of Koporo-kenie-Pe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d1128c91-e614-4f09-ab19-1cc6e06620f1/IMG_5212.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3489e4b0-f512-441b-a0cd-c8fde9517778/IMG_5213.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f6482dd3-a3e2-4a40-b4d9-0fa6306eeeac/IMG_5214.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f8acbfe5-7d54-4428-af6f-55c77c919c57/IMG_5217.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/293db2bc-4dbe-468b-93a8-984cc73226c2/IMG_5216.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d3be143e-0124-49bb-84a8-34afec40ee72/IMG_5215.JPG Gallery - Dogon Youth Dancing Shirt https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk-kxjz9-swtxl-x2cz3 monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bf07a234-f090-4659-9a99-5bfa2cd292a5/IMG_8414.jpeg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture nland Niger Delta culture (Djenne), terracotta heads (remnants of two figures), Ca. 11th to 15th c. Mali. Dimension of larger head: 2.25 x 1.5 x 2 in. Purchased in Mali 1977. Ex-Estate of Robert and Nancy Nooter collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9f47cfd0-528f-49eb-9a63-27c1bbedb727/IMG_8413.jpeg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/62747327-ec3c-436b-845e-1af8775dd50f/IMG_8412.jpeg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9edb7256-8954-47b8-9b93-3aba0949d930/IMG_5258.JPG Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture A small Inland Niger Delta culture equestrian figure. Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/01f83e59-2712-4ac4-bc38-332d992c1d97/IMG_5260.JPG Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/78590f28-b212-42e3-9a16-59d2145afefc/tempImagezqBdFR.png Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture Inland Niger Delta Culture terracotta remnant. "head of a mudfish", Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fd4fad27-d121-43af-8b17-1c4f1049652e/tempImagepJDHVK.png Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8ed2e579-8338-4909-b752-89bef4d08a4c/tempImageVDuwAo.png Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e188b383-abdf-4120-b998-fe40f4f8ba04/141068B0-B354-4CE8-A85B-D2D5BEB5E371.JPG Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture Three Inland Niger Delta culture bronzes, of a bell (bronze and iron), a finger ring (bronze. H 5.2 cm) and a bracellet (bronze, 7.5 cm ø) Djenné, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f70e71b1-35b4-4843-8857-74c57d21d40e/tempImageXPXQyM.png Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture A Bronze bracelet, Djenné. Mali Ø 7.5 cm. Estate of René David, 1928-2015. Zurich Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6515e3e6-2763-4e8b-8379-fa2ddeda8072/IMG_3181.jpg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture Inland Niger Delta Culture bronze bell with iron ringers, Djenné, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680233340525-KFNUJJ8ZV64FOT0J4JKF/tempImageIdNXDO.jpg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ab7cfa01-ccaa-4348-b410-f4508bf04ca5/IMG_9670.jpg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture Inland Niger Delta Culture finger ring, bronze, H 5.2 cm. Provenance: Estate of René David, 1928-2015. Zurich Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dbd7f76c-0d40-4b55-9571-a7857d0c0f65/IMG_3863.jpg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture 3 bells, Djenne, Mali, copper alloy. H 4 - 6.5cm. EX Galerie Walu, Zurich (before 1990), EX Swiss private collection, Basel. The ancient city of Djenné was founded around 800 AD and belonged to the Empire of Ghana. It was the most important trading post for caravans crossing the Sahara, and thus also a link between black Africa and the Mediterranean. Terracotta and metal objects have been found in the region of this city since 1943 due to changes in the course of the river. Although this region was already Islamized at that time, figurative art obviously developed there at the same time. Scientific analyzes date the finds between the beginning of the 11th and the end of the 17th century. Jewelery in a wide variety of shapes and materials has always accompanied and fascinated people of all cultures. From a cultural point of view, however, bracelets and anklets, amulets, finger rings and necklaces are much more than just pieces of jewelry. In large parts of Africa, the masterfully crafted gems are valued for their beauty, but the valuable ornaments are also part of religious beliefs. They are therefore testimonies to the affiliation, rank and belief of the wearer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cf434c8c-9f79-4fad-a621-f387338840a2/IMG_3864.jpg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e2ad660e-76a6-487f-af20-446def7a4568/IMG_3865.jpg Gallery - Inland Niger Delta Culture https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk-kxjz9-swtxl-x2cz3-s5e47 monthly 0.5 2023-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2e416061-c4c8-472c-85a9-37bf2df21890/IMG_5317.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon equestrian figure, Mali. This figure has several repairs. The most notable is that a new face was carved from a different piece of wood and reattached. When a person dies, the portraits of the deceased are sometimes destroyed so that their spirit would not remain behind. This portrait was destroyed with many fractures to the base and other areas and appears to have been recovered and repaired. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/df1c2dcb-d28b-4543-aa46-d853533e4421/IMG_5321.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e1ba8de9-4481-42f9-93f3-9fb85a1c6739/IMG_5320.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c1f26ebd-3ce5-4d40-af7b-2640811bc7e8/IMG_3315.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon “toguna” men’s meeting house post. Mali. Made of carved wood from a single tree limb or trunk. 185cm x 50 cm (73 inches x 20 in.) The toguna is an open wall structure made of carved or plain posts and wood cross beams. The posts could also be made of stacked stone, especially in the more rocky areas of the escarpment. The roof is topped with multiple layers of millet stocks. It is a place where the elder’s and men discuss the issues of the village out of the heat of the sun. This toguna post has a male and female ancestor carved on the front side and a large snake carved on the back side. Ex Property of Lynn University sold to benefit the Library Renovation Fund. Gift of Arthur & Yola Steinman/1998 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/af3b9e30-0f36-44f2-b005-e53e8696a7c1/IMG_3299.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f331434d-1bea-493f-860d-820be0372da0/IMG_3324.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/673cf97a-2900-4ba5-91c2-25455f3c9fc7/IMG_3309.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8cdc32ec-0c19-4b73-bece-20ed25f342c9/IMG_7655.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects A toguna in the village of Koporo-pen, Mali with similarly carved posts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1681075590923-EHRA12SS57VVMSRUS0J2/IMG_3342.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects This is a well worn Dogon ladder made from a single tree limb. These ladders were used to navigate the cliff dwellings and cliff burial sites, as well as for roof access to home structures and granaries. Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/38e23782-839e-473d-a7b9-a2694d5c88ad/IMG_3349.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d7e1db46-6831-4545-ae20-47c5a2e708a8/Millet%2Bstorage%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bchief%2527s%2Bhouse%2Bin%2BYawa.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon ladders in the village of Yawa, Mali, 2002. Yawa is located on the edge of the Bandiagara Escarpment overlooking the Dogon plains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8a5d8d88-03b9-429b-a8c1-c42b0d58b742/Dogon+elder+2.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon ladder on the cliff face of the Bandiagara escarpment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/66210920-534e-42d7-95cd-ce69dd425ce7/IMG_5241.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon knife. Collected in Koporokenie Pe, Mali. 2003. Wood, stamped steel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5c8f5b3f-0731-47fa-96bc-08fc278eda57/IMG_5244.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/59772ec1-91af-4004-8160-fcb11568c416/IMG_5252.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A small wooden Dogon ancestral figure, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1c043552-980c-4c32-b778-d4765eb7b6fa/IMG_5256.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cccb7cc9-499b-4193-a13f-b36f681bf0ad/IMG_5304.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon (?) elongated figure standing on a pedestal base, wood with a rich aged patina, partially missing the right arm. 14 inches H. Arte Primitivo, NYC. From the Estate of Jack Faxon, Birmingham, MI. & NYC. Michigan State, Senator, 1971 - 1985. Creator of the Michigan Council for the Arts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/84e5d15c-2d10-4bfc-9e7d-af4e6c9b5d9f/IMG_5305.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/79e50dbc-006e-4dd7-bb55-93a3d73cefe8/IMG_5307.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3241159f-6c8f-4782-8ad8-a44ba1f940bd/IMG_5306.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e0b1aa1f-8312-4de9-bb08-e013f3fe628a/IMG_7879.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon miniature figure, Mali. Wood. H 9.5cm. EX Hammer Auktionen, Basel, Switzerland. EX Jean-Baptiste Sevette, Geneva, Switzerland. EX Christian Zingg (1956-2023), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland (2021). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6a856223-6a6f-495d-827b-43df22d5cd1d/IMG_7878.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/968eb377-960d-48cb-be56-9993040927c4/IMG_7880.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ddadc4a2-1fc6-4d40-9e41-ba136e03f1fd/IMG_7881.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dfcfa24c-534e-46f5-8330-245881456175/IMG_9131.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects A fabulous little knife that I received from a Dogon elder when I lived in Koporokenie Pe in the Dogon plains for two years. Steel and bronze/brass, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d31958cb-9028-4ab7-b01b-4d152658ced4/IMG_5268.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b65209a2-200d-4d54-ab91-d249dd96fb54/IMG_5269.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon wooden whistle, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/493eb796-66a3-4d18-9141-7fe3c3297f48/IMG_5271.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1ee4af83-3d06-4399-86d1-ecbb431dd31a/IMG_9150.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects Proto Dogon/ Dogon terracotta pipe bowl (incomplete), Pomorodoudiou, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e215863c-743c-4d24-be0e-aed8702eb5a2/IMG_5273.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/41322670-06ec-46e7-b5fe-b65cc59c017d/IMG_5274.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon side horn instrument made from an antelope horn and hide. Koporokenie Pe, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/87583684-f137-4066-9e35-847f9d045f28/IMG_5275.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9a3c71a-4a7d-45c6-8d40-1a0f5c1bcb84/IMG_5279.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects This is a Dogon hand spun cotton thread spool on a stick with a terracotta spinning weight. A friend in the Dogon village of Koporo-pen where I lived for over 2 years spun and gave this to me when I admired it. She didn’t think twice. It was impressive to sit and watch her work and create the thread which eventually would have been woven and died with indigo. Some of the items in my collection have strong personal connections for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1cd36783-c904-4fb6-bc45-71ee247ba1d2/IMG_5282.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Proto Dogon/ Dogon iron amulet, Dogon plains, Mali. 12cm L, and the cuff shape inner dimension is 1.9cm. This iron object is heavily encrusted. It appears to have small rectangular attachments at the end which suggest something that moves and makes sound. It was possibly used for divination or other protective purposes. One interpretation is that they are a smaller representation of hand cuffs that were used as a ritual object to contain evil spirits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5a931e09-50ba-4794-9844-7377e02fedbf/IMG_5339.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Proto Dogon/ Dogon iron Arrow heads, Dogon plains, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4208f953-d89f-4f24-b519-ad904b152b36/Pasted+Graphic+2.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon amulet necklace, Koporopen, mali. Iron and stones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/10eeed34-a984-4a80-ac0c-40ab31ab036b/Pasted+Graphic+3.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/329f14c6-146a-4b07-8f4d-0ba9e369cca9/Pasted+Graphic+4.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b54c5068-f7e5-49a5-84ff-3b8591984684/IMG_5287.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon wooden stool, Koporopen, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ff37fd5d-b4de-4937-8c8e-8b4bc823cc48/IMG_3219.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects A carved wood Dogon head rest stool in the form of a female ancestor which was collected in Djenné, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c282118d-e020-4511-b14e-4e15f8e17d33/IMG_5343.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Proto Dogon/ Dogon terracotta bowl, Dogon plains, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5d4bd15b-4ee7-4ce8-8512-462ea8d8c5a8/IMG_5344.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5da0ab9a-77f3-4466-a147-08d4b15a6ba4/IMG_5346.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/91b6f60e-2d39-4860-993b-538cddbf8792/IMG_5417.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon door lock featuring a bird, Incised, carved wood. Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a962c467-e9b1-41aa-a14c-b278f2a0844a/IMG_5418.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon door lock with antelope horns. Carved, incised wood, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/49984929-55bb-49ce-aa02-168fe564877d/IMG_5419.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon door lock with antelope horns. Carved, incised wood, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b574b499-7192-42ef-9d95-ecbfd395f660/IMG_5463.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Another Dogon door lock with antelope horns. Carved, incised wood, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/aecb2d92-ce8e-424c-b27a-d80f2aa28fb0/Mosque%2Bdoor%2Band%2BDogon%2Block.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon door lock in the village of Koporo-pen, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/05f956e7-fa96-4693-8327-8aa90a68efa5/Millet%2BStorage-.jpg Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon lock on a granary door, Koporo-pen, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1079bdf2-e4ab-4060-98f4-0b45014bd21e/IMG_5464.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon door lock with geometric form. Carved, incised wood, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bb8b21fc-cba9-4350-ac60-4769bc7c0a47/IMG_5421.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon door lock with an equestrian figure. Carved, incised wood, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e16dd81a-54e8-49ca-81d3-da54728f0e2c/IMG_5222.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/33101137-c26c-4297-8ca0-0bb420d126ec/IMG_5407.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon Horse saddle stirrups, Koporopen, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2539d24b-1728-472a-aa31-92446dc259b1/IMG_6975.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon cast bronze stirrups, Mali. 6.5" H x 4.5" W. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/21848746-2dd3-4455-bcc8-2d1609488f89/IMG_6976.jpeg Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/002f1d6e-a841-49ec-8a77-f33c16837fcd/IMG_5868.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon horse saddle blanket. Woven cotton, indigo cloth, and various combined textiles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/04a6bc35-8554-45d5-a52d-2725ff05a275/Pasted+Graphic+17.png Gallery - Dogon Objects This is a Dogon worse blanket. Made from woven strip cotton, indigo dyed cloth, and other textiles. Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dc7e51dc-e8e1-4fb6-b6c6-46698ae98826/Pasted+Graphic+16.png Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/46959ddd-de1c-4e0a-b06c-7591fc3310f8/Pasted+Graphic+14.png Gallery - Dogon Objects Dogon horse reins, dyed leather and woven rice bag material strips, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e2ea41f4-c24d-4fdd-92d5-7d39b33c567b/Pasted+Graphic+20.png Gallery - Dogon Objects A Dogon "hunter's" sachel. Leather and various materials and protective amulets including a Dogon wooden whistle, a fly whisk, antelope horns, sling shot, and a Dogon fire starter kit in a small leather bag, Koporopen, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/49509a56-c258-46fb-9071-b387e00a1cc7/IMG_5332.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A cast bronze Dogon bracellet with frog images. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4439ba09-f958-469e-bccf-aefd071a2e0c/IMG_5335.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1aa056ef-67a2-4430-8660-47d91c412603/IMG_5326.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects A large cast bronze Dogon bracellet, Koporopen, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/174fb4fe-3b19-40c4-8b93-aaed28db247b/IMG_5325.JPG Gallery - Dogon Objects https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk-z9xhm monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e40dcde1-3241-4bee-a1cd-534255bcba01/IMG_5234.JPG.webp Gallery - Mali Objects A terra-cotta figure of an unknown culture, Mopti region, Mali. (excavated) This figure sits in a pensive position, adorned with bracelets on both wrists and draped with a cape. 10” H. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/af7cc96a-24ce-4799-af77-17536c4de805/IMG_5239.JPG.webp Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9e902e93-63b6-4bc0-a21e-912aa7604733/IMG_5235.JPG.webp Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6de193e6-84c0-4485-95a1-0e61f440d268/IMG_5236.JPG.webp Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1c4e2a18-8169-44d3-a202-f97a5ae3cfe0/IMG_5237.JPG.webp Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2af36312-68c1-42fe-9fa4-b1ec21ea1312/IMG_7567.jpg Gallery - Mali Objects This is a rare Bamana ritual hoe or “daba” used in conjunction with the Chi Wara “antelope” headdress dance and was not intended for agricultural use. Mali, wood, iron, 25.” H. The Chi Wara or Tyi Wara society of the Bamana are dedicated to the god of agriculture and believe this half man and half animal being taught the Bamana how to cultivate the land. He was the offspring of the first created being, an old woman “Mousso Koroni” and a snake. The society focuses on the healing of snake bites and promotes a good harvest of the land. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/17aa0352-22b9-42a0-9926-336c714c13bf/IMG_7568.jpg Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c012de4b-631d-4e1c-bb5f-27febee2b583/IMG_7569.jpg Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c6057692-f0df-40cd-b142-794181859681/IMG_7570.jpg Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f6c9e651-d9ed-4cf6-ae91-818b9d50a330/IMG_5600.jpg Gallery - Mali Objects A wooden tablet with lines from the Koran written and repeated for practice and learning by children— from a Koranic school, Mali (Mopti region) #mali #mopti #mooscollection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f3a2961e-b254-4fe3-a904-216da97cd28d/IMG_5603.JPEG Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4b985e7c-05d7-4481-9417-6506fe93ddb2/IMG_9125+2.jpeg Gallery - Mali Objects Peul earrings, "kwoteneye kange", Mali. Gilded hammered silver, fineness: 900, cotton. Ø 5 cm. Peul earrings are given as a wedding gift from the groom or received through inheritance on the mother's side, owned by woman as a symbol of wealth and status. Each is fabricated from a single sheet of metal and the desired form is achieved through heating and hammering. The sizes and metals (pure gold sheet) vary with wealth and status. From the estate of Andreas Vontobel (1931-2011), Waltalingen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/259ec801-a0f3-4e06-9220-85d457feba86/IMG_9128.jpeg Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/11bc7059-b423-4082-bd40-0fc550d5833e/IMG_8266.jpeg Gallery - Mali Objects Fulani silver and copper ring, Djenné, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680286322702-4LT21Q0I08FPPLJ3RJRN/IMG_8264.jpg Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ef060f89-6bac-400c-80a4-6ef503711f28/IMG_8261.jpeg Gallery - Mali Objects Fulani silver and carnelian ring, Djenné, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/091f37f7-a3d9-4f06-9504-37e4f68f64dc/IMG_5308.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7150e01b-d5d2-49ba-ae1a-b3e7d8933dd3/IMG_5294.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Glass bracellet/ arm band. Mopti, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/301dfc06-9449-49a3-bbe1-4c951280054a/IMG_9145.jpeg.webp Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f325bc52-5107-4569-9be6-ab0ee3e0f01b/IMG_5295.JPG.webp Gallery - Mali Objects A large incised copper alloy ring collected in Mali, possibly Fulani. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9519478e-ff9a-4a1b-8d4c-efccddaecb89/IMG_8269%2B2.jpeg.webp Gallery - Mali Objects Dogon? Senufo? Akan? A bronze ring with a gorgeous patina. Collected in the Dogon village of Pomorodoudiou, Mali. I believe the image is of a peanut. It was possibly worn to promote a good harvest. Items travel through markets throughout Africa so its original origin is a mystery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0ecac2e0-942b-4210-87d9-a2469aee0b89/IMG_5313.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Silver and ebony cross pendant with an amber bead, Timbuktu, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a4c91390-e9a0-4dda-bf2e-11a996616c38/Pasted+Graphic+12.png Gallery - Mali Objects Tuareg grass reed and leather matt, Timbuktu, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1f271f2c-c787-448d-92f9-6e96836485da/Pasted+Graphic+4.png Gallery - Mali Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c867c63c-fa8c-499d-b6cb-fdbb89003403/Pasted+Graphic+3.png Gallery - Mali Objects Tuareg leather pillow cases, Timbuktu, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/37bdf5b7-afc6-42e3-847e-1506fc796a21/IMG_5359.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. These items are used on the ends of sticks to spin cotton string. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a85d1279-d364-4265-87a7-e05dc3ef3fc8/IMG_5367.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8fef0326-5c66-4a2b-bf27-f027528cf05e/IMG_5364.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c662f883-8ecf-4a6f-82b4-274b74802302/IMG_5379.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/25387327-5489-4829-8723-96b91fdfffc4/IMG_5376.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1a4e0617-8d11-4232-8e1f-50895c9f27ef/IMG_5378.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight remnants, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/af844373-3a87-4816-b82f-e46d780d1d38/IMG_5380.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/77f4da02-1b03-4274-9a9f-24298bec0dab/IMG_5362.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/acea19c8-9fa0-4dde-8a70-9b758c82e871/IMG_5368.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bee37d21-7f2b-4e27-ad76-4243360481ba/IMG_5370.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/72b5e0c4-7ae5-4e21-9f9e-6a11f8e07d77/IMG_5374.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Terracotta spinning weight, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d6cb3400-1638-43a7-89b4-1fd9d637b63d/IMG_5391.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Neolithic celt, Mopti, Mali. Many of these celts are found while cultivating and the explanation that was told to me by a villager in Essikro, is that they are the result of lightning hitting the ground. Many believe these "thunderstones" have magical, protective properties and can be found in shrines and bought in local fetish markets as a magical material. In Material Culture and Indigenous Spiritism: the Katamansu Archaeological “Otutu” (Shrine) by Wazi Apoh & Kodzo Gavua write "Some scholars have documented that these axe-heads were exploited for their assumed medicinal and magical properties (Field 1940; Ozanne 1962; Rattray 1923; Reade 1874; Shaw 1944; Wild 1927). They have pointed out that, having invested the “thunderbolts” or “God axes” (Nyu ηmo te/Nyame Akuma) with supernatural origins, most followers and priests of indigenous religions and herbalists assign them with various medicinal and magical properties. Some of the stones were ground and mixed with water and other concoctions and given out to cure cough and digestive ailments (Wild 1927). They were also sometimes fastened against the body to cure diseases (Rattray 1923)." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d6513206-1695-4bec-b17b-1ee1204f447a/IMG_5398.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Neolithic celt, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c9e10c84-bad1-4ba0-9cee-6eff737186fa/IMG_5395.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Neolithic celt, Mopti, Mali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/773a0209-46b3-4176-9ab7-de77b862cf86/IMG_5353.JPG Gallery - Mali Objects Neolithic stone celt. Mopti, Mali https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-hhakk-kxjz9-swtxl-x2cz3-s5e47-jjy5x monthly 0.5 2025-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9e475bdf-96b8-4c8c-b80b-9518b4c1f028/IMG_3471.jpeg Gallery - Textiles From Mali Fulani arkilla kerka cloth from Mali, circa 1950s. Collected in Djenné. Naturally dyed wool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1236085d-c7d1-4634-a96b-896b26d96df0/Pasted+Graphic+12.png Gallery - Textiles From Mali Tuareg grass reed matt. Reeds and leather, Timbuktu, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a136fccc-b991-45f5-9e78-0c45815b470d/Pasted+Graphic+11.png Gallery - Textiles From Mali Bambara mud cloth "bogolon". Mopti, Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/aa728b70-a164-4df3-abd0-ea02295e3103/IMG_5863.jpeg Gallery - Textiles From Mali Dogon saddle blanket, Village of Koporopen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3e907da4-b72b-4ef2-93bb-3e1ef8d0fe80/IMG_5862.jpeg Gallery - Textiles From Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f3f7c0ae-80e0-455b-bcec-14199366f3fd/IMG_5865.jpeg Gallery - Textiles From Mali https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1a8a20fd-7636-4870-9dac-ee72ba3d5b92/IMG_8857.JPG Gallery - Textiles From Mali The Dogon saddle blanket shown here with leather reins and cast bronze stirrups. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-almz4 monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/69626292-b9a0-4f9f-841c-44c131fcb891/25EE1013-627B-4369-A043-9CE81A854EF5.jpeg Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Dan “tankagle” or deangle” mask, Côte d’Ivoire. Wood, 19.5 cm H. EX Galerie l'Accrossonge, Claude Lebas, Paris, 1991. - Sandro Bocola (1931-2022), Zurich. Despite some insect damage to the inside edges, this mask still has a beautifully simple, symmetrical design with a well worn beautiful patina. Sometimes the form of a mask captures an expression or feeling that resonates- an unexpected familiarity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2ca39900-e3af-419d-91ca-deec9a3da9a2/9BEA2390-3810-4133-BBAE-E07C7B92746B.jpeg Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f309d00b-70d8-4359-b514-5745de764e5c/F505AB76-79CA-42B1-A3F7-CAE011D5FE0A.jpeg Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3ed1d1c7-4be1-4808-8c0c-3f14bbc7896c/IMG_8874.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects An awalé game made from a wood plank and seeds, Essikro, Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98e14bc0-4704-4b8c-8ca9-994378d6b685/Pasted+Graphic.png Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Senufo wooden stool, Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1dbb71f0-a96f-4bc5-86c9-1bd4b3359ab0/Pasted+Graphic+1.png Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9a44b4c6-05f9-4d1c-a25a-ece2ab72f146/IMG_5435.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Neolithic celt, Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/224a9d5d-7da6-4dc9-b17e-8d4908f72ca1/IMG_5433.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Neolithic celt, Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c9252b9b-c7fc-4278-afbe-8c09c0bf542e/IMG_5438.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Neolithic celt, Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/403cf1c1-2352-473f-94d0-2935c8ae67a1/IMG_5442.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Neolithic celt, Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire. Many of these celts are found while cultivating and the explanation that was told to me by a villager in Essikro, is that they are the result of lightning hitting the ground. Many believe these "thunderstones" have magical, protective properties and can be found in shrines and bought in local fetish markets as a magical material. In Material Culture and Indigenous Spiritism: the Katamansu Archaeological “Otutu” (Shrine) by Wazi Apoh & Kodzo Gavua write "Some scholars have documented that these axe-heads were exploited for their assumed medicinal and magical properties (Field 1940; Ozanne 1962; Rattray 1923; Reade 1874; Shaw 1944; Wild 1927). They have pointed out that, having invested the “thunderbolts” or “God axes” (Nyu ηmo te/Nyame Akuma) with supernatural origins, most followers and priests of indigenous religions and herbalists assign them with various medicinal and magical properties. Some of the stones were ground and mixed with water and other concoctions and given out to cure cough and digestive ailments (Wild 1927). They were also sometimes fastened against the body to cure diseases (Rattray 1923)." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/13e2a0f3-81d8-49c6-bac0-8793545700a1/IMG_5440.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Neolithic celt, Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/adb61072-2505-4232-9181-2f0e2836a894/IMG_5431.JPG Gallery - Côte d'Ivoire Objects Incised amulet stone? Tanda, Côte d'Ivoire. The similarities with neolithic celts suggests that this object was made and used for protective or magical purposes. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-ywszc monthly 0.5 2023-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/48919026-7123-4d1f-bbe4-b95d49428566/IMG_5229.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa A little Kongo power figure. This is the only sub-Saharan African art object in the collection that comes from outside of west Africa. It has a commanding presence so I give it the respect it deserves. It comes from a private collection based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and was acquired directly from the collector in Abidjan in the late 90s. 11 inches H to the top of the feathers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fa0df27e-b6a9-4cc2-8dda-ca54b01996db/IMG_5228.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f6f9101d-0206-4c9b-abbf-04efebd1313f/IMG_5231.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2e89f940-1bbc-43e5-9867-7568effe202e/IMG_5232.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f5c1b4ab-203a-4fdb-be1b-51bf5999b90c/IMG_5410.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa Nubian dagger, 20th c. Acquired from a private collection in Luxor, Egypt. The knife has many similarities to sub-saharan examples. Made of ebony wood, forged steel, and a brass tang cap. 12.5 inches L https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/36d1b654-fe3e-4529-8c70-99b32cf02f6f/IMG_5411.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/023d27e7-304f-459c-8694-747e846ae002/IMG_5414.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/83cc7fef-f7b5-469e-9cc7-3f6ad2ce4b47/IMG_5415.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/78548cfd-63bb-4024-bca5-4048247f9fb0/IMG_5416.JPG Gallery - Outside West Africa https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-ywszc-985n4 monthly 0.5 2023-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ad9ca8b6-0b62-4a81-8b83-f270e0672892/IMG_3174.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects This is an artisanal piece which caught my eye because of the endearing, realistic, and natural qualities in this everyday scene. The mother here is lovingly styling the young daughter’s hair. Such figurative illustrations often refer to proverbs. Carved wood (ebony). 6” x 3 5/8” x 3 1/2”. The previous custodian stated it was a Baule carving but I place it as unknown African origin although there are a large pool of Akan figurative illustrations. Ex estate of Dr. Ralph Gomes (1937-2020). He was a professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Howard University for 49 years. A native of Guyana, he was an avid collector of art and artifacts exploring the Black experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eca8a9f6-af20-4454-b61a-108f7739866f/IMG_3176.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bab63f42-d3a8-4a5b-9482-5ae83da8eb02/IMG_3177.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4897cb76-f9a2-4025-bdbe-47292ba9c893/IMG_9714.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects Ebony carving of a Lion attacking a man. Most likely for the tourist trade. Pre 1960s. Ebony wood, bone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d829ec73-e783-42ca-aff0-dbbc05ce9516/IMG_9953.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0bae9bc7-fa9d-447e-b749-61883febda8d/IMG_3179.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects These two figures use to belong to my grandmother and were given to me by my mother. They were the first pieces from Africa that I've owned and have been a part of my entire life. It seems fitting that I have them now and it's interesting that I received them before my love for African art was realized. It isn’t known where my grandmother got the pieces from but it is believed she collected these in the 1950s to mid 1960s. I believe that they were made by artisans from Kenya for the tourist trade due to similarities with other carvings from that area and time period. EX Carol Hamerly, EX Christina Gardenhire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/10783684-457e-4b10-a426-6175038fe7e1/IMG_3180.jpg Gallery - Artisan Objects https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6z5yg monthly 0.5 2025-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98eb37b6-0ef1-4c26-9941-6bb15882de47/IMG_3640.jpeg Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear The Asantehene Nana Otumfoe Sir Osai Agyemang Prempeh II (King of Asante) shown here in regalia wearing elaborate royal sandals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2a3af746-fc0a-4fd8-8a24-01ca2b8c9365/tempImageNaFy52.png Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear Chief sandals (mpaboa), leather, wood covered with gold foil. Ghana. Sandals are the equivalent to the European crown when identifying a ruler in the Akan states. The straps are usually covered with gold ornaments that point to proverbs and can also be seen on the abotire headbands or “crowns” of the Akan. It is most likely that the sandals came first and influenced the crowns. Here we see ornaments made of carved wood covered with gold leaf representing the night bird asantrofie (center). This bird motif addresses the dilemmas inherent in decision making, “If you take asantrofie you bring bad luck, if you leave asantrofie you lose good fortune,” a kind of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.’ (Ross). Other ornaments include fluted forms, cowrie shells, beetles, and the sun and moon motif. The fluted forms are representations of insect cocoons and are more frequently seen in cast form as gold weights. The image is meant to suggest a dilemma: “It is a puzzle to know how the caterpillar entered its cocoon; did it build it before entering it or did it build it around itself?” (Menzel 1968, 181). In other words, some things are destined to remain a mystery. The star and moon motif usually seen on abotire headbands points to a proverb recorded by Garrard: “The evening star, desirous of being married, always stays close to the moon.” He explained, “In the political context it would indicate that the people love their chief and will support him” (Ross) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3ceecbc6-addb-4055-8e7b-4dc6f5031487/tempImageeOtmhx.png Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d076a670-455b-418e-b95e-bf065fd0b971/Screenshot+2025-02-06+at+1.47.13%E2%80%AFPM+2.png Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear Akan or Baule court regalia footwear, Côte d'Ivoire. Wood covered with gold foil, textile, 28cm. Like the two Baule pith helmets in the collection, this pair of courtly footwear are true skeuomorphs, objects in the same shapes as the originals, yet carefully carved from wood with intricate surface designs. Provenance: Galerie Noir d'Ivoire, Paris, De Baecque, Paris, October 10, 2024, lot 496, Galerie Walu, Basel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a20711a4-eec2-435b-9980-70c6148f8aa8/IMG_2592.jpeg Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7f94f668-29df-4aec-89d1-b01fc70ff05a/IMG_2599.jpeg Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b2d39a97-ff42-41dd-8969-2b0cca48fa10/Screenshot+2025-02-06+at+1.51.49%E2%80%AFPM+2.png Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2a00e05d-d505-4697-a77f-87c5b7fc1cf4/IMG_2601.jpeg Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6b257262-6822-4f77-bb22-b62453aecf79/Screenshot+2025-02-06+at+1.53.57%E2%80%AFPM+%282%29.png Gallery - Akan Court Regalia Footwear https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-five-jkmzy-chjn3-wclnd-f6fpm-f9dr8-6c4ds-55he4-fh47l-4y3gs-meyhs monthly 0.5 2024-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680020301281-ISN0KOIW2W2NMVYIEDJF/E8B1ECAD-8F3A-4197-B579-8C5BF0BF3DCA.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints This is an interesting double page woodcut engraving (40cm × 60cm) from The Graphic Illustrated, printed in 1885. It is titled “A Palaver in Ashantee Interview between King Quaco Duah, of Coomassie, and the British Commissioner.” The Asantehene (king) is surrounded by his courtiers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5ca7f3fa-88a5-474e-a2c1-b5c1f27af138/6CE8BA6E-88BA-49AC-9F90-814D81F26C67.jpeg Gallery - Antique Prints An antique wood engraved print from the Illustrated London News 1874 titled “Ashantee war: A Conference with a Native King”. 13.25x9.25 inches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bc7e9c3c-7e56-4775-899d-02d1c2c1142d/7B6D8B58-A1EE-46B6-BC66-B119F0599F09.jpeg Gallery - Antique Prints This interesting little wood engraved print was printed in 1873 in the British illustrated newspaper, The Graphic titled “Ashantis Buying Muskets with Gold Dust at Assinee”. The gold dust dealer with his scales, weights, and tools of the trade can be seen in the left of the illustration (8.75” x 7”). Ashanti’s main currency was the abundant gold in the region used to fund the war against the British empire and their African allies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/657993b9-f0bf-45ab-a19b-08473d0881df/IMG_3267.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints An antique wood engraved print from the British illustrated newspaper The Graphic, printed in 1873 titled "The Ashantee War- Reading the Queen's letter at the Palaver of Kings at Accra." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0b6aeb56-74a8-498d-8c9b-608a931f7bef/76BDEB98-D1A4-4EDB-82CA-FE6A56784DCB.jpeg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print of Asante golden regalia from the Illustrated London News, May 23,1874. Overall size of print is approx. 20cm x 28cm. The objects shown here are from the Asantehene palace in Kumasi when it was looted and destroyed by British forces during the Anglo-Asante war of 1873-4. Many of the plundered objects were then sold and brought to London. The golden “trophy” head was bought by Sir Richard Wallace from Garrard & Co. Ltd, the Crown Jeweller in London, in 1874, along with other Asante objects, including swords, knives and jewellery. They ended up as part of the Victoria and Albert museum’s “Wallace collection”. Currently the museum is in direct talks with the Asantehene to return these items to the palace in Kumasi which look promising. The gold cast trophy head depicted here in the center is the largest surviving gold casting in Africa outside of Egypt. It would have been attached to a state sword or even the Asante golden stool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cf25e713-83f6-49b4-9b58-41a9c12ac28e/5370FC81-9F93-46A0-89CC-419FA9C83A3C.jpeg Gallery - Antique Prints The Ashanti War-Arms Taken from Fantee Prisoners, 1874. This is a wood engraved print taken from The Graphic. The Graphic was a British weekly illustrated newspaper first published on 4 December 1869 by William Luton Thomas's company Illustrated Newspapers Limited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ef5e1556-e4cd-41c7-9dd5-38b2c654f99a/IMG_3515.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print from the Illustrated London News titled: ASHANTI WAR DRUMS, 1874 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fc18a6e6-eaf9-4fa9-8263-d0a495226365/IMG_3512.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print from the Illustrated London News: Ashantee War-First Station on the Road to Prah. February 7, 1874 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/af97f338-6baa-4ea8-b489-9f1ccc0e3578/IMG_3514.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print from the Illustrated London News titled: ASHANTI EXPEDITION, Submission of King Prempeh at Kumasi, 1896 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6a1232c0-b3d7-4ead-9757-0a6fd391024c/IMG_3560.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints An antique wood engraved print taken from the British illustrated newspaper The Graphic, 1874. 8.75' x 4". Title: Ashanti War Trophies from Coomassie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7b068935-9bd7-4de2-a444-b63499e84e0b/IMG_3699.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints Title: Ahmadou's Palace at Segou. This is an antique wood engraved print from the Illustrated Travels: a record of discovery, geography, and adventure" edited by H.W. Bates, assistant-secretary of the Royal Geographical Society; published by Cassell, Peter, and Galpin, London 1880 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/27087931-230a-4956-bb26-68a92a7eeeb2/IMG_3989.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints Antique wood engraved print from The Illustrated London News, titled "The King of Ashantee's Palace at Coomassie, Viewed from the East", 1874. 9.25" x 6.25" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1681295227840-LBE389HN4G57XNZRJO0K/IMG_3566.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A nice 19th c. engraving (litho) print of "Women of Elmina, Ghana" drawn by A. Rixens. 28.5cm x 20 cm. Jean-André Rixens is a French painter born November 30, 1846 in Saint-Gaudens and died February 21, 1925 in Paris. He attended the college of Saint-Gaudens and, in 1860, entered the School of Fine Arts in Toulouse. He then began to paint commercial signs and copies of paintings to finance his studies. In 1866, with La Mort d'Alcibiades, he won the second grand prize of the City of Toulouse, an award endowed with a scholarship which enabled him to continue his apprenticeship for three years at the School of Fine Arts in Paris where his teacher is the painter Adolphe Yvon (1817-1893), a specialist in military history painting. With Ernest Messonier, Pierre Puvis de Chavannes and Auguste Rodin, he took part in the founding of the National Society of Fine Arts, which will henceforth organize an annual Salon, rivaling that of the Society of French Artists, led by William Bouguereau https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d003b30d-e5bf-46a9-a95a-be725ab2a0c3/IMG_4451.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints Antique wood engraved print taken from the Illustrated London News. "AFRICA GOLD COAST, Bush Woman, Ashanti, Belle of Cape Coast"- 1873. The size of the image not including Margins is approx 9.25x4.5 inches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/57d9d3cd-e2d1-4728-ba54-713307b4fa6e/IMG_4493.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints Antique wood engraved print taken from the Illustrated London News. "GHANA, The General Market at Cape Coast Castle" - 1874. The size of the image not including Margins is approx 13.25x9.25 inches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e92e4851-42c3-4457-ab1b-d8803ee0a657/IMG_4494.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints Antique wood engraved print taken from the Illustrated London News. "GHANA, The Cape Coast Castle" - 1873. The size of the image not including Margins is approx 9.25x6 inches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/22dbb037-269f-4eb1-a905-fa8400e2e9f5/IMG_5407.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A beautifully rendered engraving titled “ASHANTI EXPEDITION King Prempeh's Last Reception”, 1896. From the Illustrated London News. 12.5” x 9.25”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/540e2e33-3fd0-47a5-8b7f-c8baf2e0bc09/IMG_5357.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints “Ahmadous Palace at Segou.” This is an antique wood engraved print from the Illustrated Travels: a record of discovery, geography, and adventure" edited by H.W. Bates, assistant-secretary of the Royal Geographical Society; published by Cassell, Peter, and Galpin, London 1880. 9.5cm x 15.5cm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/948b910f-7faa-4918-9757-7d9a147126e2/IMG_5356.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print titled “Bambara types and headdresses” from "Peoples of the World", by Robert Brown, published by Cassell & Co (Vol 3), 1891. Approx 9.0 x 14.5cm, 3.5 x 5.5 inches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0aa86156-0c3a-43e8-a267-25b697e486a3/IMG_5413.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print taken from the Illustrated London News titled “War Emissaries from the King of Ashanti”, 1863. The size of the image not including margins is approx 9.25x6.5 inches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e19e3b46-ddaa-48be-8f23-66c12772f7da/IMG_5411.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print taken from the Illustrated London News titled “ASHANTI Sketches - River Prah and Forest of Assin”, 1873. The size of the image not including margins is approx 9.25×7.75 inches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/29016f98-164b-46ca-a1b7-0828903792a3/IMG_5409.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A wood engraved print taken from the Illustrated London News titled “ASHANTI WAR Stations on the Road to Coomassie”, 1874. The size of the image not including margins is approx 9.5x6.25 inches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/655184c2-93fc-41d5-b7ac-7b4ea49402a3/IMG_5459.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints An antique steel engraving “Timbuctu in Africa”. Meyer’s Universum, 1840s-50. Germany. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/76ffee0b-635f-498d-bfd9-4041c39ac7b3/IMG_5458.jpg Gallery - Antique Prints A 19th century (1874) antique print “Fantee Volunteers”. Image from page 73 of 'Coomassie and Magdala the story of two British Campaigns in Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9c4c30bd-4fc3-466c-b1b5-7b11cd780806/IMG_1694.jpeg.webp Gallery - Antique Prints An engraving published in 1882 depicts an Ashanti prisoner condemned to death, being led by his executioners. The image shows a sepɔ (knife) pierced through his cheeks similarly to the figure on the finial of this linguist staff. A ritual executioner, known as an obrafo (Abrafo plural), would use a special knife called a sepo to pin a victim's tongue by thrusting it through their cheeks.The main purpose of this brutal act was to silence the victim during their impending death. By preventing them from speaking, the executioners believed they were stopping the person from casting a curse on the Asantehene, or king. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fce4cbe7-25f8-4bdd-82e9-51eebd9fa316/IMG_7600.jpeg.webp Gallery - Antique Prints From The Modern Voyageur and Traveller，Through Europe, Asia, Africa, & America. BY WM. ADAMS, M.A., VOL.I. - AFRICA. London. PRINTED FOR FISHER, SON & CO 1828 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dc3e426e-5361-4be3-a264-060f9a0bfcf5/IMG_7753.jpeg Gallery - Antique Prints A chromolithograph titled "Sword, axe, and gold mask captured in the Ashantee Expedition". Illustration for Naval and Military Trophies (John C Nimmo, 1896), based on a series of water colour drawings by William Gibb. 30cm x 40cm https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-three-8zgh7-y7xxk monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/be0e21d9-9ff8-4fae-a53c-d006e01038ac/IMG_3640.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" The Asantehene Nana Otumfoe Sir Osai Agyemang Prempeh II (King of Asante) shown here in regalia holding a fly whisk in his left hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6967f75d-0434-4387-9ea0-3fb18c9d6e1d/5A8ECAF3-0228-48C1-8F8E-710F9D14EDA8.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e644beac-0ca5-4522-aef2-cd69919a556d/DA68C5B0-4993-4896-801A-9037744BF26D.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" An intricately carved wood Baule fly whisk (nandwa blawa). The gold foil covering the carving is high purity. Here the typical horse tail hair is replaced with a whip woven out of hide. “Perhaps the most distinctively Baule items of regalia are the gold-covered horse-tail fly whisks (nandwa blawa). The handles of these symbols of authority are artistically elaborated far beyond anything the Ghanaian Akan produced. A lineage head or “chief” may have five to ten or more fly whisks. Garrard cites a Baule proverb that helps explain the whisks, “money (gold) is like a fly-whisk, a single person cannot catch it.” Today you may have money, but tomorrow you will be poor again (1993c,156). According to some, their function is less to drive away flies than to dispel evil spirits or “witchcraft”. The king is kept pure and protected from harmful forces through soft stroking by the whisk bearers. “-D.Ross. EX private New York City estate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/67c635dc-664a-4416-b7f4-8752524f3454/IMG_1690.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442489516-O7IROE6EYN78DZPCZU04/tempImagefSzOKX.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" “Asante white horsetail whisk (bodua) with a handle of four rectangular amulets (nsɛbɛ) of wood and leather covered with gold foil. Whisks with attached amulets are known as sɛbɛ bodua. On public occasions they are held or carried before the chief by his attendants. They are not used primarily as fly whisks, but serve to drive evil spirits from the royal presence. The white horsetails used for these whisks are not of local origin, but were formerly imported from Europe.” -T. Garrard, African Gold. “Horses, due to the tsetse fly, did not live long in the Akan forests, it is the horse-tail fly whisk that is explicitly involved with war. Rattray cites the proverb, "If the horse does not go to war, its tail does," and explains, "A horse's tail is considered a charm to bring victory to an army, and is always taken on a campaign by a general and his captains" The source of this belief is difficult to decipher, but it may derive from the perceived power of mounted warriors north of the forest, although the Asante defeated the cavalry of both the Gonja and Dagomba in the eighteenth century. Despite the fact that a chief may have attendants who carry his whisks during festival occasions, a horse tail whisk is still carried by a chief in his left hand when he is in procession, either walking or carried in a palanquin, while he holds a sword in his right. Both recall the military foundations of most Akan states,but also serve as dance implements accenting and extending the gestures of the chief while he performs for and honors his subjects.”-D. Ross. From the estate of René David, Zurich, Jean L. David, Galerie Walu. Published: Gold in the art of West Africa. Zurich: Gallery Walu. Page 8. Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. "Gold in West African Art" (2009). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8d88a9e4-5073-49ed-80c9-baf9680a87b9/IMG_1418.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ffda5a1b-2f99-4a5d-9ef9-b1e92414d607/D272C458-3EDE-4168-8B67-3B65F35885AD.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" The fly whisk shown here with a chief's crown, is another important part of the chief’s regalia and a chief still carries a horse tail whisk in his left hand when he is in procession. A proverb for the horse tail fly whisk is “If the horse does not go to war, its tail does”. The tail is considered a charm to help bring victory. White horse here are not found in Ghana and are imports from European sources. Ex Morton Dimondstein, Los Angeles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7fc8c79b-a0d0-4f11-bd4c-044f1bf1339b/2AD6D2B9-6010-49E8-AC5E-885081550EC6.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442537532-AZ3VR5LXZYJE1ESJ5630/tempImagentcBIK.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" A fly whisk made of an elephant tail is known as “mena”. Wood, covered with gold foil, elephant tail/ hair, textile. H 70 cm. “At one time elephant tail fly whisks (mena) were ubiquitious in the courts of many Akan chiefs. At the Asante Odwira festival of 1817, Bowdich observed “Elephant tails waving like a small cloud.” A photograph from the 1960s, taken as part of Kyerematan’s study for The Panoply of Ghana documents twenty-three elephant tail fly whisks in the regalia at NKoranza. Traditionally the whisk was a symbol of entitlement, the “heraldic badge” earned by the ɔbirɛmpɔn (big man) and conferred by the Asantehene. This title was given to the most successful accumulators of wealth and was held by the heads of the hereditary chiefdoms. In the Asante kingdom, only the Asantehene is allowed to possess a gold-handled elephant tail. There has been substantial speculation on the relationship between wealth and the elephant tail. Wilks considers it in relation to the proverb, “The elephant’s tail is short, but it is able to sweep flies away.” He goes on to explain: The sense is that the elephant did not allow the handicap of a short tail to prevent him from achieving preeminence...thus should the citizen sweep away all obstacles in his or hers pursuit of riches. The elephant tail or mena is the symbol in other words, not so much as wealth as such, but rather of the accomplishment and achievement which characterize the acquisitive process. (Wilks 1975,15).-D.Ross. Provenance: Galerie Walu, Zurich, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/784bee8e-67cc-4cd4-a1ec-71139d12a23f/IMG_5757.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" The white horsetails used for these whisks are not of local origin, but were formerly imported from Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442561573-R84YIEMHWIDCD80RMU9G/tempImageIPJXCe.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442594364-11DABQVM1P3XECQVPK2X/tempImageZgKAzO.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7eea3b50-92f2-4ccc-b056-24434e0c915c/tempImageSy0JJs.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" Akan fly whisk, "nandwa blawa", Côte d'Ivoire/ Ghana, Wood, covered with gold foil, horse tail hair, textile. H 46 cm. (112 cm with tail). “One of the most familiar and influential images in all of Akan art is the bird with its head turned toward its back--the so-called sankɔfa bird. Its message is most frequently translated as "Pick it up, if it falls behind."The basic idea is that if you have forgotten something, you can return to retrieve it, or that mistakes can be corrected. In part the motif has to do with maintaining and respecting ancestral tradition.” (D.Ross) ex Galerie Walu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c45a2ec2-c84c-4b86-a858-4ef41f6625aa/tempImageoHpYTU.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a840406d-6d80-487f-ad03-ecaa9008354c/IMG_2857.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" A beautifully carved Baule fly whisk, "nandwa blawa", Côte d'Ivoire. Wood, horse hair, textile. H 47cm. Fly-whisks are not used primarily as fly-whisks, but serve to drive evil spirits from the chief’s presence. EX Galerie Hilt, Balz Hilt (1931-1997), Basel, 1970. EX Sandro Bocola (1931-2022), Zurich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ea255c0f-a8b2-4ae8-9b4c-3da19a4f76f0/7478-004_003_1368x2048.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" A Baule Fly Whisk (Nandwa Blawa) from Côte d'Ivoire, wood, gold foil, fabric, horse-tail. This fly whisk represents an ancestor to honor the spirits, an ever-present theme in Baule art objects. Covered with gold foil, fly whisks like this example was part of the regalia of chiefs and dignitaries and are presented on public occasions as a sign of rank and status. As part of the sacred family heritage "aja", they are displayed in honor of the deceased during funeral ceremonies. EX Zemanek Münster, Germany. EX Private Collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/20171925-1abd-47ae-95e6-80b21e59391f/7478-004_004_1058x1583.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/93850911-1b39-449b-84d6-b5c25efc805f/7478-004_001_888x1329.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8d7abb05-9aad-4bc4-a31c-454b20668cf6/7478-004_002_888x1329.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a5cf0856-3eda-406e-8c7f-a2ad7b1c2a37/IMG_1406.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" Baule fly whisk. Handle: 40cm H. Wood covered with gold foil, horse hair, textile, Côte d’Ivoire. The finial image is of a standing rooster. “Akokg ntakdra na emd akoko ye kese”, —It is the feathers on a fowl that make it big. (This saying has been heard in the sense that it is the number of subjects whom a chief has who make him important.). Another is "Although the hen knows that the dawn is breaking, she leaves it to the rooster to announce." EX Giquello, Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d64cd7eb-5a8d-4361-9c17-bf320bdbf3db/IMG_1403.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/91cda6a3-e583-40db-9f78-1f92933f667d/IMG_8278.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" Akan Fly whisk if a notable with an elephant finial. Wood, gold foil, textile, L: 28 cm / 100 cm, L: 11,0 inch / 39,4 inch Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana. EX Zemanek Münster Germany. EX Dieter Schaffner, Groß-Gerau , Germany https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/637b5116-c14e-445b-8cb9-a128b34e151d/IMG_8276.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c376d204-db94-4f15-ae75-d9d9323803a9/IMG_1400.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" Baule fly whisk with a finial of a bird- this time a water fowl. 33” L. Wood, covered with gold foil, horse hair, and textile. Côte d’Ivoire. EX Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8f53243f-b53a-429d-9363-17e86d9956ba/IMG_8376.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0facbd3e-f28e-44f5-a316-fc9872ea088f/Screenshot+2025-02-06+at+2.02.35%E2%80%AFPM+%282%29.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/63c404d3-9a0a-4baf-9a93-53aed0ddeae6/Screenshot+2025-02-06+at+2.00.06%E2%80%AFPM+2.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" Baule 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0f646135-cc8e-4722-905b-a598c266eed3/IMG_5963.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" A Baule fly whisk with intricate geometric and line carvings. Wood, horse hair, fabric. Côte d'Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/14ee51ee-6641-4df4-978e-5aa9ec021a4f/IMG_5957.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d77cba2e-727b-495a-aef9-5073d25b012f/IMG_5970.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/94aa9bde-cb5c-4361-8d18-34d18aa13a47/IMG_5958.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Fly Whisks "Nandwa Blawa" https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-two-llrgk-7mnfl monthly 0.5 2026-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/51aeb90f-da65-401a-9bfe-ed0a812968a2/staff2.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f2e7e7ee-91be-4db0-8774-a4ef7f8dd397/88979BCA-EE61-4CEE-8136-661B6FD7417C.JPG Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An Asante (Okyeame Poma) linguist staff finial. Wood, hammered gold foil and gold staples. The hammered gold sheet has been attached to the carved wood with gold staples. 9 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/2", c. 19th- 20th century (1890s-1920s). “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.” ex Allan Stone, NYC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441996508-CFI0QDM2IL828WMUONRO/tempImageAbXwC3.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/243a5222-9090-4fb3-bceb-2b0049128ed4/IMG_7799.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9d79c66b-bbc7-478d-bc18-d5568c5a9971/IMG_4959.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) Another example of an Asante Okyeame Poma (counselor’s staff) that depicts the previously mentioned 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. This example with two figures at a table with one eating the food while the other watches with desire is more commonly presented on linguist staffs. Ex René David (1928-2015) Zurich, Ex Jean David, Basel. H 161.5 cm Wood, gold foil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/24add48c-ae9d-4c22-9ef1-1575e4b7f306/IMG_4976.JPG Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f56bafe0-1177-49dc-a649-501b6520bdbe/IMG_4966.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/10e5f5a2-2282-4a45-b210-5e91e4c82720/IMG_4970.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c2130dbf-1342-4baa-8d66-4478dce2f11b/IMG_4968.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/14e53d3e-f732-41c1-acf6-da7e8a4807b8/IMG_8422.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) “Okyeame poma” (linguist/orator’s staff). Wood, gold foil. Ghana. 59 inches H. “Magnificent gold-covered staffs like this one are carried by high-ranking officials within the courts of Akan chiefs in an area of West Africa once known as the Gold Coast. Because they are a society that originally had no written tradition, the Akan peoples place an enormous emphasis on speech. The spoken word, in the form of axioms and stories, is the repository of Akan custom and values, and a complete mastery of proverbial lore, combined with an eloquent and insightful way of conveying it, is considered the mark of intellect of highly esteemed individuals. Those who possess this knowledge and an articulate command of language may be appointed as court linguists, the most important nonroyal court officials.” - metmuseum. The image is of a snake devouring a frog. “It’s a common theme in Asante art and often represents the proverb: "Every part of the frog belongs to the snake." This is based on the observation that snakes swallow their prey whole, and the proverb is used to describe dominant subservient relationships.”-D.Ross The snake triumphs through patience and what is good for the frog is ultimately good for the snake or what is good for the chief’s subjects, is good for the chief. EX estate of Dr. David Y Solomon, of NYC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b16b5564-3735-4c47-a8c9-0e45d993b3b0/6C1B22C0-8183-49F9-AC8E-6A1E057BF04D.JPG Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442022030-ZG45CPRXGEUWW3T7TG5W/tempImagecyOVTh.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6f41f0a1-e7c8-4232-9a2f-556da62a1594/IMG_9014.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442048083-QGV6XZ22TAYKXCEKQF3H/tempImageo9Fjwk.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An Asante linguist staff finial (okyeame poma) portraying two Asante warriors: one with a gun, standing on a powder keg and the other with an akrafena sword standing on the severed head of a fallen enemy. Not all linguist staffs represent proverbial messages. This could commemorate a localized battle or refer to a historic event in the Asante kingdom. More research and interpretation is needed. It’s still one of my favorite works in the collection. Wood, hammered gold foil, gold staples. 25.5cm H From the estate René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442076653-LUE9UQ92HAVPE8CNW3OS/tempImagedOLWe0.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b639fce0-5885-408f-8a3a-ce8ea57f0964/IMG_8016.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442106015-4DSASQ64YIVT9J1OUFTX/tempImagexu5UVc.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2d8511c4-e0f0-4cc9-9e8c-bf74e16a0430/IMG_8518.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) In this example we see the severed head under the foot of the right figure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2440aa06-0093-49f3-8c90-fb44c7a12e74/IMG_8207.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An Asante Linguist staff finial, "Okyeame Poma”. Wood, covered with gold foil attached to the wood with gold staples. H 27.5 cm. Depicted here is an executioner displaying an executioner's sword and a severed head. The image can also represent the idea of trophy heads, another common theme in Akan imagery. There is very little indication here making the distinction between the ideas of human sacrifice, capital punishment, and conquered enemies, although a trophy head usually only merits depiction after a significant battle of a vanquished enemy. Provenance: Ex Galerie Walu, Zurich. Acquired *in situ* in 1989,. Ex Hans W. Kopp (1931–2009), Zumikon. Acquired in 1990. Ex Dobiaschofsky Auktionen, Bern, May 4, 2022, Lot 1672. Ex Swiss Private Collection, Zurich. Photos: Galerie Walu, Zurich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eb20f2cb-c9a3-4a1f-907c-8aa7663567f0/IMG_8124.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e4f0d607-0c80-4c86-852d-ea9f5af22093/IMG_8126.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4691a1ed-8018-4b91-8a86-cb3bfa2874ea/IMG_8131+2.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/805c994f-0265-447c-a07f-d335d2719158/IMG_8128.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9c467b70-67cb-4508-9aba-d543cc6ce93e/IMG_8131+4.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) The severed head in this example is displayed proudly in the figure's left hand while the sword is held triumphantly in the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eff6b9f4-b8a7-42ae-bb91-ec23073bf0d9/IMG_1603.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An Akan counselor’s staff (okyeame poma), carved wood covered with gold leaf. Ghana. The staff is in three sections consisting of the finial on top, and two lower segmented staff sections. Michelle Gilbert describes the staff as “Showing a prisoner about to be sacrificed: his hands are bound behind his back. A sepo (knife) is in his mouth to prevent him from swearing the great oath.” Ht 60" EX Amyas Naegele, NYC, Ex Michele Gilbert. Ex William Wright gallery, NYC Cf. M.Gilbert "Disguising the pain of remembering in Akwapim", Africa 80(3), 2010 pp. 426-452. Cf. M. Gilbert "The leopard who sleeps in a basket: Akuapem secrecy in everyday life and royal metaphor" in M.H. Nooter (ed) Secrecy: African art that conceals and reveals 1993, Museum for African Art" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b83e22ed-703e-4784-bea1-85832ce39403/IMG_1627.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5b544da0-2336-4446-8e14-55911c9e68c4/IMG_1621.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b300b78d-9f95-4a7f-93fc-bf4dbad44aa3/IMG_1694.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An engraving published in 1882 depicts an Ashanti prisoner condemned to death, being led by his executioners. The image shows a sepɔ (knife) pierced through his cheeks similarly to the figure on the finial of this linguist staff. A ritual executioner, known as an obrafo (Abrafo plural), would use a special knife called a sepo to pin a victim's tongue by thrusting it through their cheeks.The main purpose of this brutal act was to silence the victim during their impending death. By preventing them from speaking, the executioners believed they were stopping the person from casting a curse on the Asantehene, or king. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1aaaeee9-cbbd-4e23-8a60-26f096187bb6/IMG_7600.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An illustration of an Ashantee lead to his execution with a knife pierced through his cheeks. From The Modern Voyageur and Traveller, Through Europe, Asia, Africa, & America by WM. ADAMS, M.A., VOL.I. - AFRICA. London. PRINTED FOR FISHER, SON & CO 1828 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8f7468af-fe49-43ef-a3c6-78bb62930f0b/IMG_1583.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/47825ff3-9dd0-4f6e-8fc0-8e78887557ef/IMG_1586.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8222973f-5288-49e7-a486-1c1f87ce4cd0/IMG_1588.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3ac4a6a3-2834-4817-9525-e3f000890a38/IMG_1605.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442132163-PMZK6KGWKAPQ8KEMMOF4/tempImage2n74YH.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442160762-ZUDGLN0SQ9JGLM7VXMLS/tempImagehTNFLX.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/abc89f78-7baa-49a3-bf7d-dabefe32d882/IMG_5199.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An Ashanti linguist staff finial (okyeame poma). Ghana. The finial depicts a tree with one figure helping another to climb it. Ht. 16 in. It depicts the saying, "If you climb a good tree, you get a push," or if your intentions are good, people will help you." Ex Bonhams, Mass.; Ex Private collection, Baltimore, Maryland; Ex William Wright Gallery, New York City, 1994; Dr. May Weber collection, Chicago, Illinois https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8998a4fe-bf8f-4607-8c4a-8a7201073af1/IMG_5179.JPG Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/92adab09-bec1-46fc-b0e0-4ee1526a4243/IMG_5471.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3a977b42-a5e6-476b-85f9-af785401b565/IMG_1543.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) The image is the “bird that flies with cannons.” An exquisitely carved Asante “Okyeame poma” (linguist/counselor’s staff). Wood, hammered silver foil. Ghana. 62.5 inches H. Magnificent gold-covered staffs (or in this case silver covered) are carried by high-ranking officials within the courts of Akan chiefs in an area of West Africa once known as the Gold Coast. Because they are a society that originally had no written tradition, the Akan peoples place an enormous emphasis on speech. The spoken word, in the form of axioms and stories, is the repository of Akan custom and values, and a complete mastery of proverbial lore, combined with an eloquent and insightful way of conveying it, is considered the mark of intellect of highly esteemed individuals. Those who possess this knowledge and an articulate command of language may be appointed as court linguists, the most important nonroyal court officials. The expression associated with the image is primarily descriptive, "The bird that flies with cannons and gun- powder." Nevertheless, it is an evocative metaphor for the martial capabilities of chief and state.” -D.Ross. ex Collection of Michael von Schenck (1931), Basel. 1980-1983 Swiss Ambassador in Ghana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6e77e155-9369-42d0-aab0-810633461839/IMG_1552.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c9b2eddd-0db8-4cde-84f7-e8b7b30637cd/5F840221-4DF9-4CA0-9B81-044251BC8842.JPG Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f6c29cbb-3909-4eea-8fab-99d7db3ec8b3/IMG_1566.jpg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/761a250f-c3e5-48d8-ae99-6e822775816c/IMG_3372.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) An Asante linguist/ counselor’s staff topped with a finial of an elephant stepping on a trap. Wood, covered with gold foil, Ghana. 43.5” H. The staff is too short to be complete and is most likely missing the middle section as evident in the miss matched pattern in the center transitional joint. Staffs are commonly much taller. The tusks are broken and at one point we’re much longer. Doran Ross writes “Issues of succession aside, many images in Akan regalia emphatically proclaim the power of the chief, both physically and intellectually. The staff with the chain link shaft has a finial of an elephant standing on an animal trap. Its maxim is generally translated as, "When the elephant steps on trap, it does not spring." Kojo Bonsu, with a slightly different twist on the meaning, said in English, "When elephant steps on trap, no more trap!" Also seen on the staff is the chain link. Ross explains it as “The solidity of the family and the integrity of succession are often referenced in carvings and castings of linked chains. Peggy Appiah in a 1977 communication cites the following: "If we are linked together like a chain, in life we are linked, in death we are linked. Family links are never broken." This graphically emphasizes the strength of family bonds.” Ex collection of Dr. & Mrs. John Finley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b0f66ca1-438b-40b4-a6fd-1ce4ad4e650a/IMG_3368.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a583df24-17a0-4bd7-a49c-46d5d8b21a0a/IMG_3365.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7453bcd6-69e3-4d9f-895d-eba9270f992d/IMG_3363.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/02a3767f-1b11-41d7-9df2-79a8b55a81db/IMG_0748.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9ec61709-9fa2-4fff-a888-e3f7e5457352/IMG_0736.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1e903b1e-8846-4e30-bac5-4557e18e1340/IMG_0723.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/81e844b0-3464-420a-84f1-aed5538fc863/IMG_0729.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2fe0087a-5ea5-43fe-ada9-9bdd2be50d3e/IMG_0732.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/45b88d91-e71c-4ff3-8c61-abd49df8ec00/IMG_4310.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3f8dd660-f7a3-44f6-b061-1f5fbcea7f97/IMG_4300.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/781e17aa-19ec-43c3-8966-555eeb74d159/IMG_4306.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d05a8c7a-9f91-4c2e-aa04-f845883c3ab7/IMG_4289.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ec1a9995-ab15-4df1-9d2a-f7533f9cdf52/IMG_4296.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1313173f-58f5-4706-afd4-4f0a57128ad5/IMG_4292.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b788aa2b-e358-44f5-b6fb-355f2ff46a26/IMG_4295.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/364eccd3-4392-474f-b4cb-6a7726fc8f27/IMG_3404.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) Asante linguist staff fragments. c.20th century. Material: wood, paint, Gold foil, silver foil. Additional notes: This Asante linguist staff would have been topped with a finial of wood and gold leaf with imagery representing an Asante proverb. Ex estate of Merton D. Simpson, New York, NY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f507b8f4-a007-4339-a80b-774fedcfa490/IMG_3393.jpeg Gallery - Linguist Staffs (Okyeame Poma) https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g monthly 0.5 2026-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441752637-I75J7PC6V35NX38NFD22/tempImageivn2tc.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses Headdress of an Asante Herald/ Royal Crier (Nsɛneɛfoɔ), who as a scholar, among other things, has the task of carrying the messages of the king (Asantehene). Asantehene's procession may well precede the procession with a dozen heralds at the head of the train wearing a typical headdress of colobus hide adorned with a large rectangular plate of drifted gold (repoussé) and silver chain. Published: Blum, Rudolf (2007). EX collection Rudolf and Leonore Blum. Volume 2 B. Zumikon: No. 38. #asante #akan #mooscollection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441783451-JUM65RRZ5T272KK3L10M/tempImaged3RMkr.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/38157e13-e9b6-4ab7-b9c4-55ce54b9bd05/IMG_1230.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A procession of Asante Heralds/ Royal Criers (Nsɛneɛfoɔ). Photo credit: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/944f4af5-d8b7-4d99-b586-97719721039c/IMG_1231.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A Nsɛneɛfoɔ Royal Herald with the Nsɛneɛfoɔhene in the background. The Nsɛneɛhene is the highest ranking of the Nsɛneɛfoɔ and is usually identified by the conical headdress made of white fur instead of the black with three plates of gold. Photo credit: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/94c82994-b555-4850-b761-170ffc713fee/IMG_7921.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses Akan Headband, "abotire", Côte d’Ivoire Material: velvet textile, wood, gold foil. Ø 24 cm. The abotire headbands, commonly referred to as crowns, are worn by regents at ceremonial festivities as a sign of rank and allegiance. The velvet abotire (headband) is the most common of the many Akan crowns. Worn across the forehead, the band is decorated with gold-leafed ornaments with symbolic and proverbial meanings. Here, the band is covered with a row of decoratively carved rectangles, each flanked at top and sides by triangles. Together, the shapes form the Maltese-style cross shape of “musuyideɛ”, a symbol that protects from curses and bad luck. The two short vertical projections at the back are called “bongo’s horns”, a reference to the spiritually powerful forest antelope. #akan #mooscollection Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Gallery Walu. Page 33 Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum, Burgdorf (2009). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e0aed7ec-16ee-4eea-a4ff-0845cc04e6e7/IMG_1213.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3a92548e-b31e-44a0-bf86-05921bac44b5/IMG_3640.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses The Asantehene Nana Otumfoe Sir Osai Agyemang Prempeh II (King of Asante) shown here in regalia wearing a similar abotire "crown" with the Maltese-style cross shape of “musuyideɛ”, a symbol that protects from curses and bad luck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441845093-XBV5WJU0LO5QREDB2KE2/tempImagep83BdU.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses Asante headband, Ghana. The Akan headbands called abotire, commonly referred to as crowns, are worn by regents during ceremonial festivities as a sign of rank. Stars are sewn onto the velvet ribbon. These motifs, carved from wood and covered with gold leaf, allegorically stand for sayings that refer to the praiseworthy qualities of the wearer. For example, the saying "The evening star, always full of longing to marry, always stays near the moon" refers to the regent's loyalty to his people or his wife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a6aa15ca-3813-43c5-afc6-6af9a846e84f/IMG_1214.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f49a301f-3d76-4b6c-a058-e2a4d0d7d32c/tempImage4pkjrm.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5924d3fd-3c9c-4d55-967a-51174dd2c12b/tempImageSOOFmN.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses The carved wood and gold leaf objects circling this chief’s abotire “crown” are shaped like a multipetaled yellow flower called fofoo. “The highly conventionalized maxim associated with this form is said to deal with issues of envy and jealousy, “What the fofoo plant wants is for the gyinatwi seeds to turn black.” The proverb is another example of the Akan penchant for the close observation of natural phenomena. The connection with jealousy, however, is not entirely clear. Do the seeds envy the flowers for their beauty? Do the flowers envy the seeds for their curative properties? Or perhaps the name of the plant is another example of Akan wordplay where fofs is the Akan verb for “to cherish”. This motif also is seen in other Akan regalia items as well as akrafokonmu or soul washer’s discs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441880203-JEXWOFRMIU26Q7X1JM7E/tempImageEvVp3U.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses 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" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9c23d104-e5e7-4662-a315-6b42f3ebd917/IMG_9308.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/81e5bca0-4edb-427b-ace0-939db25f2c4d/A81E926C-75D9-4E07-A5A1-BB9177C63FA6.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8d4f313f-071f-42ac-b0b9-7a9dd97dc10f/IMG_7763.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses Denise David during field research in Didiévi. ca 1964. (Gallery Walu, Baulé publication, Basel, Switzerland). Note: A Baulé chief wearing a pith helmet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e48aae80-008d-4055-b9e2-1857ba856326/IMG_6654.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e36fdebb-401e-4b58-bcbc-e9f468fbcac2/IMG_1527.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9e208cec-6413-4163-8ca3-e922eb93c2da/IMG_1532.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9e465f68-b332-4255-9305-a4f3452aceff/IMG_1519.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8b2d6a02-c070-4246-bb20-cf4c87a09b92/IMG_2653.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1b436372-22ce-4a69-9b9d-3ea03b4416e5/IMG_2631.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9608f91a-7c9e-4a40-8467-106c85c6408a/IMG_7372.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A chief wearing a similar European influenced crown. From "Visit to Ghana' series ca, 1961 by Paul Schutzer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/400b8bfb-3677-4e30-b32d-2d8b62901304/IMG_2625.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/93afaab5-6e5c-41c1-a062-cb84386d4339/IMG_2638.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/46c5d985-13c2-4002-960c-9ef2d24c7ecd/tempImagehtnCln.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses Akan Headband, “abotire”, Ghana. This stunning “crown” is made of a strip of woven kenté cloth sewn to other textiles and covered with consecutive rows of the adinkra symbol “musuyideɛ“ covered with gold foil. The abotire headbands, commonly referred to as crowns, are worn by regents at ceremonial festivities as a sign of rank and allegiance. The velvet abotire (headband) is the most common of the many Akan crowns. Worn across the forehead, the band is decorated with gold-leafed ornaments with symbolic and proverbial meanings. Here, the band is covered with a row of decoratively carved rectangles, each flanked at top and sides by overlapping triangles. Together, the shapes form the Maltese-style cross shape of “musuyideɛ”, a symbol that protects from curses and bad luck. The two short vertical projections on the sides are called “bongo horns”, a reference to the spiritually powerful forest antelope. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a54d52e5-0041-484d-83ff-8562b7324e87/tempImage4YPt4I.png Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eb87d721-94b1-4df2-b526-224a2db8f66f/IMG_3190.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A chief’s crown (most likely coastal Akan states of Ghana). In the Akan states, the chief crowns and other headwear, aside from the abotire are in the category “kye”. Similar to the abotire the entire top is enclosed and is covered with amulets made of wood and gold foil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441815258-XLFBJ3JBV9S0Y0KWLO9R/tempImageh5k4rm.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A Baule or Akan (Baoulé) “abotire” chief/dignitary’s head band—felt, fabric, wood, gold foil. Côte d’Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/50a5b829-f63c-478a-ae37-209f6386abb7/IMG_1139.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f7ae4cee-6322-4f4b-8cab-a044028adfd6/IMG_1098.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A Baule or Akan chief’s crown from Côte d'Ivoire. Fabric, wood covered with gold leaf. The chief crowns and other headwear, aside from the abotire are in the category “kye”. Similar to the abotire the entire top is enclosed and is covered with amulets made of wood and gold foil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/def96679-74b4-4ca9-a85f-6eed760235ba/IMG_1091.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7f93406a-dd4c-4e80-b2f4-28d89f1bb27e/IMG_1092.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4bab73c7-c773-48e5-8f79-1954c91802a1/IMG_1100.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/76c33714-d4fc-42c2-bdba-ff0302e76c02/IMG_1221.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses An Agni chief in the village of Essikro, west of Bondoukou wearing a similar abotire. This was taken a week before the coup d'état in which President Bedie was removed from power. Photo: Dean Hamerly, 1998. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/456da7cf-bc98-4ad7-9f06-78f297c314aa/IMG_1108.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b2f390f5-e7b4-425a-a646-bfebb1d05bdc/IMG_1104.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses A Baule or Akan (Baoulé) “abotire” chief/dignitary’s head band—felt, fabric, wood, gold foil. Côte d’Ivoire. This example is missing one of the "bongo horn" ornaments on the right side of the headband. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1d400667-2278-4e20-9fcf-75d36c52c8d2/IMG_1109.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/758cee6d-d4c6-4568-8685-0b10f0e3289c/IMG_1112.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses The three similar Baule (Baoulé) or Akan“abotire" (open top) and "Kye” (closed top) chief/dignitary’s head bands as a group—felt, fabric, wood, gold foil. Côte d’Ivoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cc09b809-d330-4371-819e-f72996936dde/IMG_7762.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Headdresses René David in conversation with a Baulé chief on the outskirts of Bouaké ca. 1964. Photo: René and Denise David (Gallery Walu, Baulé publication, Basel, Switzerland). Note: A Baulé chief wearing a similar abotire "crown". https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx monthly 0.5 2025-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441111850-P57ZA28SI7OBMM42M7MN/tempImagexmlZ1N.jpg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants Asante priest’s amulet ornament. Silver, 10cm. Ghana. “A variation of the “soul disc genre” worn by priests committed to serving the supreme deity Nyame.” ex Gallery Walu, Zurich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/13588bd1-3728-4719-8024-04a61e8b08fc/IMG_8069.JPEG Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441128990-M4GEO7PFE1WUUDJQ31I7/tempImageAMKoan.jpg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants Asante Amulet in the form of a Hoe or “daba”. Ghana. Silver, fiber. H 9 cm. Additional notes: The fiber is similar to the pineapple fiber used with Akrafokonmu” or “soul washer’s” disc pectorals. Estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680441161239-HNX2XP54I6LP6V5EQAM9/tempImagekB12Lo.jpg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b43a8f87-676c-4565-bf55-091ad5fe25f0/IMG_2744.jpg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/df467419-d84c-4320-bd9e-894e21e252a6/IMG_2747.jpg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e328236d-e365-411e-b188-60d234cb57c4/IMG_2748.jpg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bac5c41c-77e2-424c-8010-56878b1dc3f4/IMG_0116.jpeg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants Two beautiful cast silver Akan pendants. Côte d’Ivoire. Radial sun motif— with a central ancestral mask. They are variants to the Akrafokonmu, or “soul washer’s” discs- often worn by individuals closest to the chief that are said to hold a part of the chief’s soul. Largest is 3” dia (7.62 cm). EX Christie’s, EX private American collection, EX Arts d’Afrique de la Collection de Madame Nelly van den Abbeele, June 12th, 2003 in Paris, EX Jan Dierickx, Brussels. Published: Bastin, M.-L., Utotombo, l'Art d'Afrique noire dans les collections privées belges Brussels, 1988, p.157, no.82. Exhibited: Arts d'Afrique, n. 456, Tervuren, 1963, ( large pendant) and Brussels, 1988, no.82 (large pendant). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/65fa90fc-82e2-4e21-aa37-aa2af3700746/IMG_1296.jpeg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants Published: Bastin, M.-L., Utotombo, l'Art d'Afrique noire dans les collections privées belges Brussels, 1988, p.157, no.82. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4bad7ea1-9660-472f-b51a-2920a6c86705/IMG_0118.jpeg Gallery - Akan Silver Amulets and Pendants https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d81be9d6-b87e-426f-a490-422e62776195/IMG_3640.jpeg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets The Asantehene Nana Otumfoe Sir Osai Agyemang Prempeh II (King of Asante) shown here in regalia wearing elaborate royal protective amulets around his neck, elbows, and ankles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443420398-IOC5TQG4G2O61N1S6164/tempImage112HMK.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets Asante regent protection elbow amulets, “nsatire”, Ghana. Wood and leather amulets covered with gold foil, silk. The amulet to the left: (22.5cm) Worn at the elbow, these amulets served as protection for the tribal chiefs and are locally called asansato (Hawk Tail). The triangular shape refers to the saying "was sansa to", meaning "you took great risks to reach your present position," emphasizing the importance of the ruler. Left: Gallery Walu before 1995, Basel, Switzerland. Right: Estate of Allan Stone, New York, NY. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443436911-4QE7A3G5Z9E0170OERIM/tempImagebdhWvx.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e2a6d43e-c19a-40d7-9aa5-44ae754709a3/AB86177F-47D1-44DD-9411-6A366DFB19B5.JPG Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets Asante chief’s elbow amulet, “nsatire”, Ghana. Leather, wood, hidden protective materials, gold foil, silk. H 19 cm. Galerie Walu, Zurich Switzerland, Private Swiss Collection, Schwyz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/43fed173-5da9-41dc-a065-88374ab479df/IMG_4207.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/efc3d9b8-8b0f-448c-9372-4f2b25ebd107/IMG_4208.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3240c451-97ee-4ded-b078-ca7d9392848a/IMG_0005.jpeg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets Two Akan protective chief arm amulets. Leather, secret materials, gold foil, gold staples, textiles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3643e5a6-f4d1-44a6-af86-86a472228749/IMG_0004.jpeg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f33c4ecf-e52a-4b04-b726-bdd52ea651d1/IMG_0003.jpeg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98cf07af-bbdc-422a-9572-0a98a815e1db/IMG_8049.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets A rare style of elbow amulet of an Asante chief, called "nsatire" Leather, wood, silk, concealed protective materials, clad with sheet gold and sheet silver repoussé and attached with hammered gold and silver "thread". -Size: 15.5 cm. Ghana Ex Sylvia and Henry Gygax Collection, Switzerland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/934bbe86-c70b-4ddd-ab57-cd51cd50c2b4/IMG_8174.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6d185a91-b9a9-4970-a1a1-ce844b546c03/IMG_8181.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/17438be8-69ef-4284-ace9-03396962f071/IMG_8051.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1c34d62f-db2f-4c23-bda4-bcdd3b05b030/IMG_8178.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7d45066a-b25a-4254-adf6-720bc5d22282/IMG_8430.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ea8d160d-1ccd-4d89-b2a1-24686b8dfd49/IMG_7805.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets Another rare and beautiful Asante “NSATIRE” elbow amulet with intricately decorated protection amulets covered with gold and silver sheet (repoussé). The gold and silver sheeting is attached by sewn gold and silver “thread”. Other materials include Leather, silk, textile, and secret protection materials. This armband was worn around the arm of an Akan chief to protect him from outside forces. 19 cm. Ex Sylvia and Henry Gygax Collection, Switzerland #mooscollection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e06a2577-adb7-416e-bc0f-053983a5b2bf/IMG_7808.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8ff87149-e1c0-479c-a6a9-2b276efcda9b/IMG_7798.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b90295c1-59a0-481d-9328-0e28bbf38184/IMG_7879.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b2f9f6a3-baa5-4135-ac4c-d4b73881912c/IMG_7795.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6ab32188-494d-40f3-becd-937e9188686c/IMG_7793.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8193e273-4eba-42c8-952e-f44689f2d698/IMG_7802.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7512e77b-2c59-4bfd-a030-ba4b4098e1f8/IMG_6774.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eaa90d7c-f434-415f-b0b8-5a6c71933a0d/IMG_6788.jpg Gallery - Akan Protective Arm Amulets https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-klnc6 monthly 0.5 2023-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443178273-8P74OK5B3WEQRABZ73EM/tempImagejIueRP.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects An Akan belt of a notable, Côte d'Ivoire. Wood, covered with gold foil, fur, textile. L 72cm. It features the distinctive double-knife that illustrates a Baule proverb, ““The blade of a knife cannot carve its own handle,” demonstrating the need for cooperation in any endeavor." Estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/aa4cd3b8-bb37-4c76-8e6b-bd718ce0ae8f/IMG_3257.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/169fb4c1-9bd4-43fb-a41b-837f3840ae71/IMG_3264.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ee4d1ed4-8637-4184-af21-1bf5a62885f0/IMG_3221+2.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ccbec1c1-70a9-433d-a2cf-3fb03ac37382/IMG_2742.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1434f033-4254-4489-9b0d-01bd54adde13/Akan+belt+7.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/656e9ced-8a6d-4a5f-8972-50166ee87c77/Akan+belt+5.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a7b93f94-60de-465e-99f1-5c52f9247585/IMG_2788.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Akan carved wood prestige items gilded in gold leaf foil that represents items from a hunter’s cartridge or utility belt. Originally these items would have been sewn onto a belt made of fabric, leather, or animal fur as seen on the previous belt in the collection. Ivory Coast or Ghana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5355f61e-8fbb-4aae-8568-e43a70742861/IMG_3283.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443233072-VBO3OSYMF8YPF2N7UWXA/tempImageQ1nWgB.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Prestige object (tortoise). Akan, Côte d'lvoire. Wood, covered with gold foil. L 4.5" Akan proverbs associated with tortoises: "The tortoise says haste is a good thing and deliberation is also a good thing.", "When you go to the village of the tortoise and it eatsearth, you eat some too.", "The highly conventionalized proverb associated with tortoises and snails is, "if it were only for the snail and the tortoise, the gun would not fire in the forest." -Both are valued foods but are collected by hand and not hunted with firearms. Because of this the snail and the tortoise are seen as peaceful. This tortoise may represent attributes with royal associations. From the estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e142e9b0-ea32-4350-aedc-7442edc16bbb/IMG_1904.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e1fbeec7-80b2-4058-94fd-d207c87b677f/IMG_1901.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7924edce-0447-449a-a613-ac45fab1d24f/IMG_8030+2.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects 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). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9846fd87-6f94-43b1-ac41-d81d658d9ed2/IMG_6031.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b0b25baf-317e-4f62-b90d-e729e773b104/IMG_6032.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443297538-3OZC1TOD848X600QC0VU/tempImageAzBTZ0.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects A selection of Baule (Baoulé) Prestige objects, wood covered with gold foil, Côte d’Ivoire. 1. Wood and gold replica of a iron gong and gong mallet. 2. Wood and gold replica of an ivory horn trumpet. 3. Wood and gold replica of an European-style bugle. “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. Perhaps the most unfamiliar item in the aja is the gold- leafed replica of the iron gong and wood mallet (lawre waka) used by a diviner to enter into a state of trance prior to a divination session.” -Doran H. Ross https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443317584-H7KRNCWC2AL0RZI22OYN/tempImageDDHgVo.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443333997-76T023XQLOOF39Z0O3E9/tempImage6WxBU3.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects An intricately carved Akan wood horn prestige object. Wood, gold foil. 11.4 inches. EX Gallery Walu, Zurich before 1995 (René David) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/be4256f8-6e92-4897-aa8b-730f443d87b4/IMG_9281.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Music hammer and gong. Baule, Côte d'Ivoire. Wood, covered with gold foil. H 15 cm and 16.5 cm. “Perhaps the most unfamiliar item in the (Baule) aja is the gold- leafed replica of the iron gong and wood mallet (lawre waka) used by a diviner to enter into a state of trance prior to a divination session.” Doran H. Ross. Provenance: Estate René David (1928-2015), Zurich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4d87d8f8-6b9d-4436-bd81-206c6e01c974/B9B732F3-AB52-447B-A356-1DB2975ADF4E.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Provenance: Estate René David (1928-2015), Zurich Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f1ec8cd8-2b68-452f-83b9-1e5328e73f1c/IMG_3807.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/153d6471-c8b7-44b4-bf9a-1c60ce2593d1/IMG_3813.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9e00e82a-2a37-45d6-b75b-ee37a916dce8/IMG_3817.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a81abf5f-7ff4-4211-8026-31c92c8997a9/IMG_3823.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fd1f44ef-9247-4caa-bf37-959ebaa0b8ef/IMG_1432.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f1c79d53-8088-4fc5-91db-cf60bf787031/IMG_1428.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Akan prestige object of a crow holding a book- a reference to a proverb. Ghana. The Crow (kwaakwadebi) is also the totem symbol of the Akan clan (abusua) Asona. The symbolic quality of the Asona clan is statesmanship and patriotism. The Asona is one of the few abusua families where the women were given the privilege to rule as kings or chiefs. “Book imagery in Akan art generally refers to two related subjects, the Bible and literacy asserting that the clan, person or persons associated with the object are educated.” -D. Ross EX Estate of Madeleine and Jean-Jacques Keller (Abidjan until 1980, then Rheinfelden). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/81e395f3-0af2-466c-9860-735bb189a976/IMG_1433.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/bd926ea5-7e07-46f4-a2dc-1c252ae236fd/IMG_8520.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Baule cartridge belt. leather, shell, cord, with four small wooden containers (three with lids) L: ca. 50 cm, L: ca. 19,7 inch EX Kunstauktionshaus Zemanek-Muenster, Wurzburg, DE. EX Collection of Alexander Kubetz (1946-2023), Munich, Germany https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/136bf725-599a-4a80-95c3-8cff6e411b83/IMG_8514.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/53ffc974-3dd4-4096-a9d7-6b4c72a300a7/IMG_8516.PNG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443264079-P5KO7T92AVXHO4PDICWI/tempImageBZddWu.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects 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) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680443280041-B7RIFFSX7C5G3NPUVRGJ/tempImageHF0zfH.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680010493359-M4WFLC4823Y20114VDZP/IMG_7685.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ef9a408e-7bce-454b-aca0-a77950e949e0/IMG_3694.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects A Royal West African Frontier Force "Zouave" jacket for infantry and military police, CPLS and below, 1950s. Made in London by Kobson & Sons LTD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/abf46ff5-50f1-4a88-8b86-553db0d6d809/3093b467a94b4399aa414839f7475d2d_front.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects From a 1938 Players Cigarettes card: The Gold Coast Regiment is a unit of the Royal West African Frontier Force and is descended from the various military bodies which existed in the Gold Coast from the 17th and 18th centuries for the protection of trading settlements. The Regiment played a distinguished part in the Ashanti Wars of 1873-4 and 1900, and in the Great War in Togoland, the Cameroons and East Africa. The Regiment, recruited from Africans in the Gold Coast, is officered by officer: of the British Army. It bears the Royal West African Frontier Force badge of a palm tree and has for its regimental motto "Kullum Shiri" in Hausa which means "Always Ready." We show a Regimental Sergeant-Major, with Christiansborg Castle, Accra, in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0da3d1ff-43b0-4710-856a-56915a9b444c/IMG_1168.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Buttons from the uniforms of soldiers in the Royal West African Frontier Force, WWI / WWII period. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c811ce3f-cf33-46b9-9036-149021efa76f/IMG_1988.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects This is a vehicle badge from the Royal West African Frontier Force, specifically the Gold Coast (Ghana) regiment. Made by Beaulah Automotif in the 1950s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4d2ebf31-43be-4866-bb38-b90c2ac704a9/IMG_7763.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects Asante prestige figure or remnant of an “Okyeame Poma” staff finial. The figure is in two parts consisting of a male figure and a rifle. The figure has his right hand out, palm facing downward. The left arm holds a rifle. Wood. H: 27 cm, H: 10,6 inch Ex Zemanek Munster, Germany Ex Peter Stoffers, Kiel, Germany. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ed9ae632-8e27-4b88-948c-2639358d1443/IMG_7764.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3e2e6d99-a2ba-4dc8-b782-f258dfaf151d/IMG_7765.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/852694cd-7fea-4e2d-bf14-2243c14262c8/IMG_6875.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects An Asante atumpan or apentema drum miniature (prestige item) Ghana. Carved wood. H 14.5cm (5.7 inches). The Atumpan is a talking drum sounded with two L-shaped sticks and played in pairs or with other instruments to accompany the adowa dance ensemble. Provenance: Rene David (1928-2015), Zurich, 2015: Jean David, Basel, Hammer Auktionen, Basel (23.10.2019, Lot 29), Claudine (1952-2020) und Christophe Eichele-David, Luxeuil-les-Bains. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/360cce20-fb2f-4a05-ac3b-09c7f0e1e215/IMG_6884.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/81f46c23-918d-48d2-9dc0-c7e1d68f4132/IMG_6887.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b69f61ae-5601-4527-a6c5-4ee87d4bdc8b/IMG_6881.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule Prestige Objects https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-klnc6-x48e7 monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/00f7d0d7-7a23-435f-ada0-19e6a1ca71b9/tempImageFD3elB.png Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Asante State Sword (akrafena) with hide leather sheath and sword ornament (abɔsodeɛ). Wood, gold leaf, hide leather, steel. The sword ornament represents the strength and power of the chief, “The invincible crocodile that swallows bullets.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/00647b04-fd72-4de7-9e16-7bc8bccd1dc6/IMG_7750.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Asante sword ornament (abɔsodeɛ), wood, gold foil, Ghana, 12.5” L. A crocodile is one of the most common images found on the state swords of the Asante paramountcies. “A crocodile alone or with a mudfish in its mouth is found at five Asante paramountcies and is given several interpretations. The crocodile at Mampon represents a praise name for the king, “The great crocodile that swallows a stone every year.” Stone is a metaphor for “bullet” and refers to the Mamponhene’s position as a leader of one of the Asante armies. Kyerematen reports that the crocodile on one of the Asantehene’s swords originated with Asantehene Osei Kwadwo (r.1764-177) and represents the “totemic” animal of his paternal (ntɔrc) kin group (1961,13). At Kumawu the crocodile with a mudfish in its mouth as well as a second mudfish, elicits the proverb “when the mudfish swallows anything, it does so for its master,” meaning that the chief automatically benefits from the success of his subjects. (The predatory nature of the crocodile-mudfish relationship is ignored here.) for the combined motif at Kumawu, Quarcoo records a different meaning, “If that species of fish comes from the river to tell you that the crocodile is dead, there is no need to argue about it,” indicating that people who live together know each other’s behavior (1975,16). Yet another interpretation of this image was given at Edweso, “If the crocodile catches the mudfish, it does not deal leniently with it, a reference to the extreme power of both chief and state. This multiplicity of meanings attached to one motif is common in abɔsodeɛ iconography, as in most Akan symbolism. “ - Doran Ross https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c574c070-6dd2-4825-9328-745f3f42503b/IMG_5744.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8bc04fc1-8fba-49dc-950f-518707af52f3/IMG_8433.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Asante ceremonial state sword “afena”. Wood, gold foil, steel, ray and animal hide with fur (antelope), leather, white pigment or clay. The sheath has a wood covered with gold foil floral ornament. Swords "afena" were prominently displayed at royal courts as regalia of the king reflecting upon his power and authority. They were held by the ruler during his enstoolment or gripped by subchiefs, who swore their allegiance to him. They were used in a variety of ways. Sword bearers flanked the ruler during processions. They were used to swear oaths ("nsuafena") and as badges of office for messengers or envoys of the king ("asomfofena"). Priests used them during rituals and they were placed in shrines as objects of veneration. L: 70 cm, L: 27,6 inch Provenance: Alexander Kubetz (1946-2023), Munich, Germany Published: Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Alexander Kubetz, "panga na visu", Riedlhütte 2009, p. 37, ill. 50 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c5ae43f5-d5a0-4d5c-90e9-9aebdaf42d8c/121D8151-9904-4CAB-944A-7F1041905EB1.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a4443208-416d-4062-9ee8-79c6917a540b/A036C028-4625-4145-999C-92D10F84C2C5.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/34fab54e-2fdc-4d0f-ad4f-45a7a68407ee/CA50157F-E96C-42BE-BC75-7754401E8A60.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/44b238ae-8166-4243-9128-fc415c172f58/DAF54CA7-19EE-41CF-9663-03A081ECF070.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e7459593-f6a0-4bf0-aa0f-7cb3a08e3b58/15EEAD8C-B6E4-4B88-B0A9-A548F5EF2C7E.JPG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1e5e5cbb-0893-4a8b-9603-4f062804b890/tempImageO0J2d0.png Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords This is an Asante State sword “afena” from Ghana with a sword ornament cast in 6K gold/silver alloy. The sword hilt is carved wood covered with gold foil. The iron blade has a sheath of ray and antelope hide (front/back). 72cm. The sword ornament (abɔsodeɛ) is an image that appears to be a Baboon eating a cricket or grasshopper. Two small men flank his sides with flint lock rifles. The meaning of this image most likely points to a proverb but more research is needed. Published: Blum, Rudolf (2007). Rudolf and Leonore Blum Collection. Volume 3 A. Zumikon: Self-published. No. 219. Provenance: - Galerie Walu, Zurich. - 1994: Rudolf and Leonore Blum (1919-2009 / 1923-2013), Zumikon. - Hammer Auctions, Zurich, December 3rd, 2016, lot 53. - Swiss private collection, Schwyz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/908ce347-36f9-42f4-8407-9f696d63e68a/tempImagedpKgoz.png Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/260baf0a-7d72-4441-bd2b-52405f1d5a75/IMG_4948.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/14c04b06-2ace-4780-85c2-2fd1cb0cb92e/IMG_4949.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/747a3fe4-d57c-4422-8939-16f577b3f363/IMG_4944.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/33703bf5-4782-43a5-872f-967222b2501a/IMG_4946.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9ad01b38-07bf-4f26-935d-d4633d7945f5/IMG_4924.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Akan double-edged ceremonial sword, "afena", Côte d'Ivoire. Wood, covered with gold foil, iron. H 57 cm. Provenance: Estate of René David (1928-2015), Zurich. Exhibited: Musée International du Golfe de Guinée, Togo (2005-2011). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5adbf211-0716-4617-bee7-bc92dfa2f9ca/IMG_4926.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c2ebb7eb-cba1-4d5f-9e10-ac2386dabba4/IMG_4931.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9729788-d849-45e3-8abe-5677697953ed/IMG_4932.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680442672772-X4TBQW0IVU2B2A9DX1OF/tempImagedSLpmS.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Two small Asante swords “afena”. Wood, steel, gold foil. Ghana. The left sword is a dance sword. “The accessories of an important chief also include a small sword held in the right hand and a horsetail fly whisk in the left. Although not without symbolic value, these are primarily dance implements that extend and amplify the gestures as he is carried and performs in a palanquin on festival occasions.” P.185 Gold of the Akan from the Glassell Collection. The sword on the right appears to be a small sword carried by the gunbearer’s with its uniquely shaped hilt and narrow blade. Asante state swords appear as prestige objects on various official occasions such as the occasion of the enthronement of a new regent or during the purification ceremonies. Ceremonial swords symbolically demonstrate the power and prosperity of the Asantehene (regent of the Asante). They are carried by his sword-bearers and at the same time document the status and rank of the bearer. For example, if the Asantehene takes part in a procession, he is accompanied by numerous sword-bearers, taking the blade of the sword in their hand and pointing the pommel towards the king as a sign of their loyalty. The king himself holds a small sword in his right hand, which he uses as a dance staff and symbolic weapon. Provenance: EX Dr. Andreas Vontobel (1931-2011), Waltalingen, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e0699bf4-1b95-4eba-813b-05bcb32b379e/0485F5BC-2D20-435A-AB3E-C373928CC498.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b77bdbc6-b94b-44d9-9224-74a0044937d5/tempImageAJgBX3.png Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords A selection of Akan sculptural gold-covered hilts of the “afenatene” state swords. Wood, gold foil. This class of sword hilts have a large variety of representational images and meanings and are usually held by their steel blades (missing here) to display the proverbial message associated with the hilt. Some examples in this group are “Akokg ntakdra na emd akoko ye kese”, —It is the feathers on a fowl that make it big. (This saying has been heard in the sense that, it is the number of subjects whom a chief has who make him important). Another is "Although the hen knows that the dawn is breaking, she leaves it to the rooster to announce." A hand holding a key can represent “the Chief holds the key to the treasury”. The key also represents a saying ’If I lock it, nobody can open it’ which is a message from parents to children meaning that the parent (or the chief) always has the last say. Another interpretation: Proverbial or literal translation: ‘Being in authority can be likened to a key in one’s hand which if not held properly can lead to lost position. One proverb for a perched bird is: “Anoma anntu a, obua da”. Literally: If a bird does not fly, it goes to bed hungry. You must take action if you want to make a living. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2a75e8f2-c834-4ad0-b84c-21b67b28b107/IMG_7827.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords An Asante sculptural sword hilt. Wood, gold foil, Ghana. The steel blade is missing but when brought out for display and festivals, the sword would have been held by the blade, displaying the hilt and its proverbial meaning. A hand holding a key can represent “the Chief holds the key to the treasury”. The key also represents a saying ’If I lock it, nobody can open it’ which is a message from parents to children meaning that the parent (or the chief) always has the last say. Another interpretation: Proverbial or literal translation: ‘Being in authority can be likened to a key in one’s hand which if not held properly can lead to lost position. EX Hemingways, New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a9e4b221-762a-4110-a8a1-cc7d0d2326fd/IMG_1374.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords I believe this represents a vulture or “Opete”. There are many Asante proverbs associated with the vulture and it also symbolizes self-begetting, self-creation, and self-birth. It is the animal that symbolizes Odomankoma, the Akan deity who created the world. Regardless of which type of bird it represents, one proverb for a perched bird is: “Anoma anntu a, obua da”. Literally: If a bird does not fly, it goes to bed hungry. You must take action if you want to make a living. EX Hemingway's New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0edc778f-8d20-4ca8-be65-447400047935/IMG_1385.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f9072b8a-6612-4329-b9d1-41f73dcf1c2f/IMG_1391.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e866f01a-470f-44ef-aeb4-7fd6fcb41b3a/IMG_1387.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0652d0cb-a98a-4546-a693-6e21f3eb55f6/IMG_3047.PNG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords EX René David, Zurich, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5a565381-1932-44ee-8f8a-0c1598a24de1/IMG_3048.PNG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Estate René David (1928-2015), Zurich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f269e2fb-9460-41e7-9202-b3efa5ad1046/IMG_0708.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/802ab1f1-988a-44b5-ace4-43df22d9d57d/IMG_1534.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords An exceptional Akan sculptural sword handle from coastal Ghana, Shama region. (Carved wood covered with heavy gold foil and gold staples). The image is of a lion standing on top of a fallen man. The proverb usually associated with this image is “When the lion captures the hunter, the gun is useless.” In most states the chief identifies with the lion, and the image is a symbol of victory with the implication that it is over superior forces. An alternate proverb for this image argues that “It is better not to have fired at all, than to have fired and missed the lion” (cf. Ross 1982a, fig. 3).” Here the message is more about the judicious use of power and exercising it with some care.“(D. Ross) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/38438f9d-30c7-484a-adf1-783295be577d/IMG_1539.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/22493b69-5fe3-460f-a4f2-803094e02f6c/IMG_1544.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0d20699d-2d11-47ae-b199-dcfe8bb2eee9/IMG_1547.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a7172843-1f86-4a31-bf3e-cc235985a603/IMG_1548.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords A coastal Akan sculptural sword handle with an image of a dwelling surrounded by animals on both sides. (Chief’s regalia from the Shama region of Ghana, west of Cape Coast). Carved wood, hammered gold foil. More research has to be done to identify the proverb associated with this image. Currently, I haven’t found another motif similar to this one. A possible proverb that could describe this image (at least to my interpretation) is “Aboa bi beka wo a, na ofiri wo ntoma mu”: Literally: If an animal will bite you, it will be from your cloth. This saying is seen in a sense that it is likely that the people who will harm you are those close to you because it is those who are closest to you that know best how to hurt you the most. This proverb can be used to counsel someone who has been hurt by a close associate, even a relative. In that case, it advises that the one hurt should let things go. However, it could also advise one to be wary of his close associates because they are the very ones who are likely to hurt him, rather than some supposed enemies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/337da9bf-cca3-48cd-80ec-62fedf112a58/IMG_1552.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6d9b759f-a564-414d-a58d-87c07e08c0a4/IMG_1553.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c954e716-85a9-4a09-bdd0-5fe5b0d4c395/IMG_1562.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7eec9485-432c-46df-af08-fc9be8e7f2fe/IMG_1565.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8559eca6-3201-4b86-bb82-14d0f6f157fa/tempImageSJemyc.png Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords An intricately carved hilt of a Baule state sword displaying the talents of the highly accomplished artisan. Most of the gold foil is missing with slight gold foil remnants remaining. 42 inches L. Ex Bonhams San Francisco, Ex Estate of Phyllis Weinstein. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680734958974-AWC6PX0E0UVIXPX3KKXT/IMG_3193.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b2586438-fb51-4980-b4b3-c17bbf59d409/tempImagey7yc2R.png Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/57ccf230-c691-4db5-9d97-eec5c0da8fd8/IMG_4121.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords A Baule chief’s prestige knife in an animal hide sheath adorned with a spondylus shell. The knife handle is made of carved wood covered with gold foil which is carefully attached with hammered flat gold staples made of the same gold foil. The blade is forged steel. Côte d’Ivoire. 35cm H https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/37fbb4d5-a640-4670-9535-35b750c86331/IMG_4104.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d7ca21c5-17bc-4156-b42c-45fbbe7f5516/IMG_4101.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2965c589-747e-4b59-994c-2da3e8087c31/IMG_4105.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/898face6-af1c-415a-a96d-fdb896fad5bc/IMG_4106.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/21716d71-849a-4c87-9b62-5e4ed72f4e4c/IMG_3912.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2348f38f-931c-4b20-be4a-7b11266ad321/IMG_3914.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/254fad81-f2a0-4bff-a867-e39be9c129dd/IMG_4230.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/13a1d4ae-f7e0-4d24-a2b1-ba694cb2048e/IMG_4238.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2c3c1537-9860-4f1f-8ab9-988acc170d32/IMG_4241.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f8b23a14-bdf2-44b0-8d44-8b51adf7039a/IMG_4243.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ff3d32a3-e29b-4c31-84fa-b12f767360f7/IMG_4249.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5aea8c79-7b90-47cc-ac75-2e1d54762c19/IMG_4737.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords This photo is from Pearlstein's studio which shows this particular sword in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/31e09a2c-4312-4ada-ab96-cbb149a23d51/IMG_4054.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords An Akan sculptural sword hilt carved of wood and covered with gold foil and gold staples. 23 cm. Ghana. The image consist of two heads on top of two gunpowder keg barrels- a reference to the power of the state and chief. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3c1189c2-e510-4487-a81a-3f7bd413415a/IMG_4831.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ea42dd58-4536-4349-b400-6b40e0d87f41/IMG_4846.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a87355b6-d92d-48ca-a3cd-ec9b1c6dc757/IMG_4843.jpeg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/57e90580-332a-4e44-97c9-098d4ec36b05/IMG_4734.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords Baule prestige object of a miniature sword carved of wood. Côte d’Ivoire. 29.5 cm. This item is a skeuomorph, an item made to look like the original item but out of another material and in this case, carved wood instead of steel. It’s function is to display status, rank, and the power of the bearer. Ex Helmut (1931-2021) and Marianne Zimmer, Zurich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/60c90184-67c2-4c9d-b16e-a0f8425e7589/IMG_1962.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d8b1d77d-5cb9-4c1f-8a51-db05237fbe4c/IMG_1957.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/67379248-05e1-4f28-bae9-b6183d391d25/IMG_1968.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords A pair of Baule knives with gold foil covered wood handles, in a double leather sheath embellished with braided motifs. These gold-leafed knives, called laliɛ blawa, form part of a chief's accoutrements. A similar pair is illustrated in Ratton, 1951, fig. 109 and also a similar item is in the collection "Gold of Africa", Barbier-Mueller Museum in Cape Town, fig, 71, description pg 244. They represent the Baule proverb: Laliɛ kungba gbe kla fa se men i bɔbɔ i waka. The blade of a knife cannot carve its own handle. (A second knife is necessary to carve a handle for the first. What you cannot do alone, you can achieve through co-operation.) Côte d’Ivoire #mooscollection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3a0e54ba-716a-4962-8f96-fb132c28b030/IMG_1978.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2691e7d8-ccca-4fe6-9b6e-4522fcda170d/IMG_1958.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/efef81b2-32b4-47a5-be80-eb176d312af8/IMG_1959.JPEG Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ec1eae42-0e14-456d-a4f7-710ba828cdd3/IMG_6599.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords A fine older Asante state sword “Akrafena” with intricately carved designs on handle covered in gold foil. The incised steel blade is decorated on one side. 28 inches long. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ea44e0e8-ada5-408e-8919-62e525d70cda/IMG_6526.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/db1a1bd6-7988-4c41-a721-1547d7bbe43b/IMG_6635.jpg Gallery - Akan and Baule State Swords https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-9skdg monthly 0.5 2026-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/edfc96bb-cc68-4a6f-8272-8984aeda0710/IMG_7476.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools Carvers carving the Asante royal stools near Kumasi, ca. 1971. Eliot Elisofon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/402b121e-ad33-4268-a0c8-6339054ef7b5/142C531C-C395-4C8D-B884-C91F1C85A7A7.JPG Gallery - Akan Stools Asante stool, "mmaa gwa" Ghana. Wood, cowrie shells, kaolin pigment. H 30 cm. W 47.5 cm. From the estate of Dr. Andreas Vontobel (1931-2011), Waltalingen. Galerie Walu, Zurich (1986). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/44f23ab3-03b2-457f-8c19-728496a09ae1/IMG_5252.jpg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7c2b25e8-677e-4e6a-b3c5-c09fafcfb407/IMG_5254.jpg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98e90d55-9940-4e44-8fd9-bc42825f4024/IMG_5259.jpg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9b173c28-7ea6-4563-a054-f1bd1450a8f2/IMG_5260.jpg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fe446cf3-f3be-478c-99e2-261160140cc3/IMG_6924.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools An Asante blackened ancestral shrine stool (nkongua tumtum). 15" L , 8.5' W. Ghana. This Asante blackened stool is arguably the most powerful ritualistic object within the collection. Such stools are believed to contain one or multiple ancestral spirits and embodies the entire history of the associated group of people. For the Akan, it is a form or historical document which brings the past into the present. It is an object blackened by the ritual application of blood from a member of the same lineage and later anointed with offerings of blood from castrated rams during special events. Other materials such as gunpowder and spider webs (references to war and the genealogical knowledge of women) are mixed in and smeared over the entire stool. In the kingdom of Asante, eggs with spider webs and kitchen soot of smoke from the hearth are mixed in. This consecrated shrine object not only represents the entire lineage from the original owner, but also the chieftaincy and succession of power. All kings and chiefs have at least 1 blackened stool. The stools are shrine objects that are not sat upon or ever put of the ground. Special rooms are built for such objects to be kept pure and out of general view. It is a place of prayers and sacrificial offerings to the ancestors. (ref: Michele Gilbert) Provenance: The estate collection of Dr. Roy and Sophia Sieber. Dr. Roy Sieber (1923-2001) is considered the founder of the discipline of African art history in the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1771777344334-LL32UFDFBJY9Q3ZR3STP/IMG_6922.jpg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7e31f76b-8030-4eef-9ac2-82e3eb3e2e78/IMG_6926.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ce84b005-3a70-4d1b-b15f-abf2f005bc98/IMG_6928.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f2425eb3-1b90-4816-8d81-f6462f8ef636/IMG_6929.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e72cfd2f-b1d6-4d8f-b617-dd36acaa641a/IMG_7231.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools An Asante stool with a rare 6 ornate support column style. In this example, the central support column which is usually center of the stool is replaced with two columns, one to the front and one to the back leaving a center space between them. 20" x 10" x 13" H. Ghana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dc05a632-2bd0-45c8-b6f2-d8e0ffc7bebd/IMG_7238.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/84e6b0be-73f0-4234-9241-d3a727774419/IMG_8076.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c2584cb0-ffb8-494f-a204-03333dc9c120/IMG_7237.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3b034c0e-a265-4771-b66b-35effd21ef9b/IMG_7233.jpeg Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5a7c05c1-30b2-4cb8-87df-1e1a0029325e/tempImaget7rnmX.png Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/90b28232-ae46-4c66-882e-cf08feef9a29/IMG_8852.JPG Gallery - Akan Stools https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/021df579-59a0-4b26-84fa-fdb1766fbbe8/tempImagenk43jC.png Gallery - Akan Stools Asante “Mmaa dwa” or Woman’s stool. Collected in Kumasi, Ghana. “For the Asante, stools are integral components of social and political life. They are vital identity markers and sacred mediums for honoring and communicating with ancestors.” A stool was thought to contain the soul of its owner and, when not being used, it was put on its side to stop evil spirits sitting on it. Stools were carved from a single piece of wood and different design elements identified the type of stool. This stool is known as “Mmaa dwa” or woman’s stool. “In addition to the hierarchical symbolism found on various Asante regalia that relates to identification, the structure of the stool itself is very architectural; particularly the mmaa dwa which Nana Frempong Boadu, Otumfuo Chief Carver, described as one of the oldest designs in existence. Its cylindrical central support with a "checkerboard" pattern and four support pillars on each corner have striking parallels with conventional buildings; especially, the sleeping quarters of the Asantehene sketched by Bowdich. Firstly, the same "checkerboard" motifcarved into the columnar mmaa dwa support appears on the ovular entranceway to the king's chamber and images of other parts of the palace complex, taken at different points during the nineteenth century, reveal that the same design was used on almost all doors that led into private spaces. Secondly, every conventional Asante stool includes a series of "steps," called etuo abo, on the left and right-hand sides of the base that ascend toward the raised platform where the central support is located. These steps have no functional value, yet appear in the same place and in the same style on all asese dwa.” Source. Catherine Meredith Hale, Asante Stools and the Matrilineage .Collected in situ Kumasi, Ghana by Dean Hamerly. https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-9skdg-atd5n monthly 0.5 2026-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4da988d4-2d55-4270-9792-800760f463d0/the-asantehene-king-of-ashanti-nana-otumfoe-sir-osai-agyemang-prempeh-ii-ruled-april-24-1933---may-27-1970.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles The Asantehene Nana Otumfoe Sir Osai Agyemang Prempeh II wearing Kente. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1679863809742-U0YWRJKARBPP1QDAJ4WW/IMG_2860.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante woven Kente cloth. The stunning greens are contrasted with a hand stitched “sun and leaf” motif in yellow thread. Ghana. W 220 cm. L 320cm. Gallery Walu, Zurich. Hammer auction 78, August 26, 2021, lot 37. American private collection, New York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9066bfba-d163-4dec-8bbb-f0b3df4a5d2d/IMG_2861.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles (detail) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/59d97f32-f375-4f4a-ba9f-a272612a9dc3/IMG_2862.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles (detail) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a695aa59-cb50-44d7-8ad2-3877d327f04c/IMG_3435.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante Kente Cloth Textile, Early/Mid 20th C. Silk and Cotton. 131'' x 77'' (333 x 196 cm) From the collection of Allan Stone "The Collector", New York, NY. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5e2cb744-f7f3-48ec-9eef-b4937093c19d/IMG_3418.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante Kente Cloth Textile, Early/Mid 20th C. Silk and Cotton.118'' x 80'' (300 x 203 cm) From the collection of Allan Stone "The Collector", New York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7fad6b23-59c4-494d-bdb5-08d953ae30d2/IMG_3425.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante Kente Cloth Textile, Early/Mid 20th C. Silk and Cotton. 125'' x 79'' (318 x 201 cm). From the collection of Allan Stone "The Collector", New York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4a17a353-dc91-45db-a3c9-eede000eeb7b/IMG_3450.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante kenté cloth. Collected in Kumasi, Ghana, 2002 by Dean Hamerly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d657ae33-3a91-4baa-a40c-21a626719c19/IMG_3442.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante kenté cloth. Collected in Kumasi, Ghana, 2002 by Dean Hamerly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b480c799-3ee6-44f4-8909-954629879bad/IMG_3466.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante kenté cloth. Collected in Kumasi, Ghana, 2002 by Dean Hamerly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/533cc2bc-8a63-4542-8283-97a55b964ed3/IMG_7100+copy.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Asante kente cloth textile. mid 20th C. 129" x 76". Ghana. Ex private Massachusetts collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/16c234fd-15c4-479d-990d-1b337610c5bd/IMG_7110.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5086dba4-4304-4d33-b4c4-e8a90d54c13a/IMG_7109.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles (detail) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/50bb69f9-b818-4c30-bd1c-5c91012f2705/IMG_3459.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Ewe Cloth, Ghana, Mid 20th C. Size: 62'' x 105'' (157 x 267 cm) Collected in the 1970s, from a private Pennsylvania collection https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/59122c30-a6ee-41d3-aaa7-c4ae1d109bca/IMG_3479.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Baule (baoulé) cloth, woven in Bondoukou, Côte d'Ivoire, 1998. Collected by Dean Hamerly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/26fca05d-7137-4ae9-91e8-0e3b8b0ed8c3/IMG_4466.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Ewe, Ghana, vintage Kente woven silk and cotton textile, multicolor stripe and check pattern sewn together, each panel 3.5"W, 77"L x 47 W. Provenance: Estate of Professor Philip Gould, New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f8392f31-9343-4dc7-bbb8-1309275d1061/IMG_4605.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7a176199-684e-49af-b88b-dd82d198dd62/C17642C9-0BDC-4E38-B1A5-5933165AE9EE.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Ewe, Togo, vintage Kente woven silk and cotton textile, with multicolor stripe and check patterns sewn together, each panel 3"W, 74"L x 43". Provenance: Estate of professor Philip Gould, New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/41c481d3-b813-4aec-83d6-f8cd3660da68/IMG_4473.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles (detail) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d64845de-ddc3-4e48-b5b2-e172d48dc5b1/IMG_7471.jpeg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Two woman preparing for a ceremony adorned with gold regalia and women's kente. ca. 1997. Photo credit: Fabby Nielsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/eb172f16-f39d-4eaa-a354-6b1afadb30b3/IMG_4607.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles Ewe, Togo, vintage Kente woven silk and cotton textile, red, ochre, white, black stripes panel pattern sewn together, each panel 3"W, 72"L x 39” W. Provenance: Estate of professor Philip Gould, New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/777605e8-ec7a-4c72-b178-418b21ba9e65/IMG_4464.jpg Gallery - Akan, Ewe, And Baule Textiles (detail) https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-klnc6-x48e7-ah2rd monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/163b9733-c732-4597-aef0-43f16e17f740/scan0007%5B4%5D.jpg Gallery - Baule Heddle Pulley Baule weaver, Côte d"ivoire, 1969. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3316a442-a682-4196-9671-84e40b9869e5/IMG_0242.jpeg Gallery - Baule Heddle Pulley A very old and rare (because of the material) Baule double faced (Janus) heddle pulley from Côte d‘Ivoire, 15cm without base. It’s missing the inner wheel and spindle. Baule heddle pulleys are functional display objects used both as a tool on the loom to help ease the movement of the heddles when weaving, and also as display or prestige objects that demonstrates the carver’s artistic skill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/12843156-38bc-44ad-9b37-fc7ae5521260/IMG_0241.jpeg Gallery - Baule Heddle Pulley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6ddcb0c5-808f-434e-a356-6af1c3faa578/IMG_0247.jpeg Gallery - Baule Heddle Pulley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/dcf4aa30-7461-4ada-b929-5f2e116ec7eb/IMG_0248.jpeg Gallery - Baule Heddle Pulley https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-klnc6-x48e7-ah2rd-pxxyh monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/23f1f20e-6a4a-4cf1-be4a-be66385fc33f/IMG_3861.jpg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Photo credit: Jean-Yves Clavreul (Portraits of Anyi leaders). Photographer: J.C. Nourault, Ivory Coast (Period 1950-1970). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/054cc28e-beb0-4890-bddf-0132120ea583/IMG_3847.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Akan chief’s ceremonial eyeglasses, Côte d’Ivoire (4.75” x 1.65” x 4.5”). An XRF analysis revealed an alloy of mainly silver and gold (4K) with a small copper percentage. Akan regalia eyewear served a very specific purpose. Besides displaying the high status and wealth of the chief (European items were often seen as status symbols and recreated in gold), the mesh prevented people from directly looking into the eyes of the chief which emphasized his high status and authority. This can also be seen when subjects come to greet Akan chiefs. One would not look directly into the eyes of the chief and would support one arm with the other arm when shaking the hand of the chief. This gesture shows that the chief is so powerful, that you have to support your arm just to shake his hand. Provenance: Jacaranda Gallery, New York, Ex Dr. Roy Sieber (1923-2001) Collection. Roy Sieber was considered the founder of the discipline of African art history in the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6e1b0a78-6fba-4d99-97af-d989b3d5ffda/IMG_3843.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b71fb766-081a-4b08-9acd-460ce077fc28/IMG_3812.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Akan chief’s ceremonial eyeglasses, Côte d’Ivoire (4.75” x 1.65” x 4.5”). Displayed here with a Baule chief’s ceremonial pith helmet, carved of wood and covered with gold foil. Eye Glasses: Provenance: Jacaranda Gallery, New York, Ex Dr. Roy Sieber (1923-2001) Collection. Roy Sieber was considered the founder of the discipline of African art history in the United States. Pith Helmet: 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” (2010). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/b87f9134-16be-49b6-a442-152942256b4f/IMG_3838.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fe44c23c-89dd-494a-a463-8487a12a33ea/IMG_3839.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/62086a86-6879-4089-8678-c134c3c99165/IMG_3862.png.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Photo credit: Jean-Yves Clavreul (Portraits of Anyi leaders). Photographer: J.C. Nourault, Ivory Coast (Period 1950-1970). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a5ffabf1-fb7b-4c0e-b92e-0111437457e0/IMG_3863.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Photo credit: Jean-Yves Clavreul (Portraits of Anyi leaders). Photographer: J.C. Nourault, Ivory Coast (Period 1950-1970). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fcea8408-a141-4a72-9678-3b7648d8619b/IMG_3864.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Photo credit: Jean-Yves Clavreul (Portraits of Anyi leaders). Photographer: J.C. Nourault, Ivory Coast (Period 1950-1970). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/13cefb00-14a4-48ed-b99c-d7da1ada8c22/IMG_2414.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Photo credit: Jean-Yves Clavreul (Portraits of Anyi leaders). Photographer: J.C. Nourault, Ivory Coast (Period 1950-1970). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/490a58cf-e8be-487c-b322-7f4e5d903fca/IMG_2411.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear Photo credit: Jean-Yves Clavreul (Portraits of Anyi leaders). Photographer: J.C. Nourault, Ivory Coast (Period 1950-1970). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ed1bd4da-6012-46d0-9f01-b1719680ba1d/IMG_2399.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan Gold Eyewear “Today, a gold-cast pair of eyeglasses might represent an audacious display of wealth; in the early twentieth century, however, that would have been a different matter in Akan society. For one thing, the eyeglasses belong to a corpus of European objects that gained currency as status symbols in Akan culture. Following their early association with Europeans, with whom the Akan have maintained contact since about 1500, eyeglasses had acquired a symbolic association with worldliness. Nevertheless, the issue of what type of eyeglasses the Akan owner of this pair intended is crucial to the interpretation. Were the glasses to be used for reading or as sun shades? Widely considered as a second pair of eyes, prescription eyeglasses were early on associated with superior eyesight and, by extension, intelligence, while dark shades reflected worldliness and, at times, even hidden powers. Still, in chiefly regalia, the eyeglasses take on a whole new meaning. Rendered in precious gold, they would have readily projected the wealth of the court. Gold in Akan culture is the quintessential expression of material well-being and, given its common use in political art, the appearance of yet another regalia item in the medium should otherwise not raise eyebrows. However, with wire mesh in place of the glass lenses, this example clearly served no practical purpose other than display. The eyeglasses would have impeded rather than enhanced eyesight. The critical focus, there-fore, should be the owner's desire to trumpet his cosmopolitan taste.” -Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present, by Nii O. Quarcoopome. Detroit Institute of Arts. (2010). https://www.mooscollection.org/gallery/project-one-ephnc-rac3g-6hhxx-4zxhn-klnc6-x48e7-ah2rd-znca7 monthly 0.5 2026-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/43f52d90-3ac2-4f26-83b7-a2242964f232/tempImageq9eatb-1.jpg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a3e89cd8-c394-4c90-9d68-226067661b5a/IMG_4762.jpg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/318b4e91-b916-423e-87d1-ef925d92ec6c/IMG_5619.JPEG.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment A Baule (Baoulé) hair pin ornament with the image of a hen on a crescent (moon). Wood covered with gold foil, 16.5 cm. In Baoulé art, the hen image often represents fertility, motherhood, and nurturing. The hen is revered as a symbol of fertility because of its ability to lay eggs and hatch chicks. The crescent image, representing the moon, carries connotations of femininity, transformation, and spirituality. It serves as a link between the earthly and spiritual realms connecting with ancestral worship and the divine. Provenance: Quai Des Encheres, Paris. Ex. French private collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cdee62e5-2b35-4ce3-8bb2-b3b0db19940c/IMG_5665.jpg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/75bf4c9d-1670-44af-b45a-ac7e79a18cc3/IMG_4897.jpg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8a75aaf6-a304-423e-8d5f-2e2a6864d323/IMG_4409.jpg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment Five carved wood combs. Asante, Ghana. Largest approx. 9" L. Some damaged sections with old collection inventory markings. Estate of Thomas McNemar, (1931-2020.) McNemar lived and collected throughout Central and West Africa in the 1960s and 70s. He established galleries of African Art in New York and San Francisco, selling to museums and public and private collections in the United States and Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/75401866-b6aa-4215-b550-b0ea5ae4910a/IMG_2547.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment 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 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3a408182-766d-4aa0-b18a-3b56ffc333fb/IMG_2552.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/8886aa07-42e3-417d-851a-8694e1071184/IMG_2551.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d91f2ee0-8219-4e34-b9e9-321f02a72e03/IMG_2331.jpeg.webp Gallery - Akan and Baule Hair Adornment Fante woman with a similar hairpin. Photo credit: Eliot Elisofon, 1971. https://www.mooscollection.org/publications daily 0.75 2026-03-01 https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg monthly 0.5 2023-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e8cbee93-607d-4499-b752-2aebd7b06dc9/9780895581631-us.jpg Publications - Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present, by Nii O. Quarcoopome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/d88509bd-72c2-4102-b25a-086fab920039/IMG_6584.jpg Publications - Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present, by Nii O. Quarcoopome https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg-ph2dh monthly 0.5 2023-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/ebc68b66-6d2e-494b-a85f-481b3033147a/IMG_6653.jpeg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680317535181-3TYL1IYLTGWXWFCWRZ9A/Pasted%2BGraphic.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Pages 8-9. Fly whisk, headbands and minature of a knife made of wood and covered with gold leaf L 18.5-96cm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680317600527-URPKL5VQQ1R867HP8843/Pasted%2BGraphic%2B1.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Pages 12-13. Miniature depictions carved out of wood and covered in gold leaf serve as show pieces for Baule notables and are shown at events as "pleasing objects" H 18-39cm. Freestanding Asante soldier with a musket and a sword, wood covered with gold leaf. H 19cm. An Asante umbrella's top piece in the form of an ivory trumpet (war horn). Wood covered with gold leaf. H 25 cm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e9e533f2-772c-4155-8bbe-3283c2fcb1d4/IMG_6086.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Pages 24-25. Stylized jewelry in the form of beetles. Width: 8-11 cm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680177754567-PYTSR72NMR0LZ81XIKHC/IMG_6654.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Pages 32-33. A Baule ruler's tropical helmet modeled after the European version. H: 15cm. Three crowns of Akan rulers. D: 19-29 cm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/66e5eee9-307f-4fa9-a153-7ab9ea8d241b/IMG_6124.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Pages 38-39. Stylized jewelry in the form of beetles. Height: 7-11 cm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1680317440865-S2EIL0YKSNZW7CL08L79/IMG_9674.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Pages 46-47. A gold trader's utensils: gold dust scale and container. A spoon with which to scoop the gold dust and blow shovels used to clean the gold dust. Asante brass containers called kuduo used to commonly be part of the chief's insignia. They were prestige containers and were used as ceremonial vessels. H: 10-23 cm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6c3e3d9a-fce6-46ef-92ac-ab415c0259b6/IMG_0539.jpg Publications - GOLD IN DER KUNST WESTAFRIKAS Page 48. Asante brass containers called kuduo used to commonly be part of the chief's insignia. They were prestige containers and were used as ceremonial vessels. H 10-23 cm https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg-ph2dh-xep6t monthly 0.5 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c2fd11a0-2f7f-4a26-9466-0811570069a0/s-l1600.jpg Publications - PANGA NA VISU, MANFRED A. ZIRNGIBL & ALEXANDER KUBETZ Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Alexander Kubetz, "panga na visu", Riedlhütte 2009, p. 37, ill. 50 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/9199a142-402f-404f-91f0-2e06d0875798/IMG_3637.jpeg Publications - PANGA NA VISU, MANFRED A. ZIRNGIBL & ALEXANDER KUBETZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/570c1900-4337-45cb-9469-563bb1ce0d48/IMG_8433.JPG Publications - PANGA NA VISU, MANFRED A. ZIRNGIBL & ALEXANDER KUBETZ https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg-ph2dh-xep6t-gy72n monthly 0.5 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/3d119745-219c-48ce-9524-94a7197e2b5e/IMG_0573.jpg Publications - Utotombo: L'Art D'Afrique Noire Dans Les Collections Privees Belges, 1988 Utotombo: L'Art D'Afrique Noire Dans Les Collections Privees Belges by Societe des Expositions du Palais des Beaux-Arts, 1988. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1e0a97f0-9bed-4941-b2af-3adc70d2c326/IMG_1296.jpg Publications - Utotombo: L'Art D'Afrique Noire Dans Les Collections Privees Belges, 1988 Bastin, M.-L., Utotombo, l'Art d'Afrique noire dans les collections privées belges, Brussels, 1988, p.157, no.82 Côte d'Ivoire / Ghana Pendentif circulaire. Ce disque, formé d'une longue spirale qu'interrompent de petits cordons torsadés rayonnants, présente en son centre un petit masque anthropomorphe. Des fils torsadés au sommet de la tête et sous le menton représentent la coiffure et la barbe. Deux demi-spirales forment les oreilles et un tatouage longe la commissure des lèvres. Cette petite pièce pèse 40 grammes et est coulée à la cire perdue. Comme c'est l'usage chez les Akan, le modèle en cire est d'abord enveloppé d'argile avant d'être relié au creuset contenant le métal. Le creuset et le moule sont posés dans un feu de charbon de bois, le creuset en dessous. Ce n'est que lorsque le métal est devenu liquide que l'ensemble est retourné, afin que le moule se remplisse. Argent, D. 8,2 cm Е.В. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/cbbc2651-b518-4ade-b6f0-1e7dad96cb7a/IMG_0116.jpg Publications - Utotombo: L'Art D'Afrique Noire Dans Les Collections Privees Belges, 1988 English translation: 82 AKAN, Ivory Coast / Ghana Circular pendant. This disk, formed by a long spiral interrupted by small twisted radiating cords, has a small anthropomorphic mask at its center. Twisted threads at the top of the head and under the chin represent the hairstyle and beard. Two half-spirals form the ears and a tattoo runs along the corner of the lips. This small piece weighs 40 grams and is cast using lost wax. As is customary among the Akan, the wax model is first enveloped in clay before being connected to the crucible containing the metal. The crucible and the mold are placed in a charcoal fire, the crucible below. It is only when the metal has become liquid that the whole thing is turned over, so that the mold fills. Silver, D. 8.2 cm https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg-ph2dh-xep6t-6s65h monthly 0.5 2025-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/809884f9-5732-41ae-b420-11cb066554e5/IMG_4954.jpeg Publications - Blum, Rudolf (2007). Rudolf and Leonore Blum Collection. Volume 3 A. Zumikon: No. 21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/babe0616-8483-46f8-88fc-5f47e71956c1/IMG_4955.jpeg Publications - Blum, Rudolf (2007). Rudolf and Leonore Blum Collection. Volume 3 A. Zumikon: No. 21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a95cbed5-7599-47c0-8e9c-1e29857defa8/IMG_4956.jpeg Publications - Blum, Rudolf (2007). Rudolf and Leonore Blum Collection. Volume 3 A. Zumikon: No. 21 https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg-ph2dh-xep6t-6s65h-slkjw monthly 0.5 2025-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4852126f-bcef-46df-9f61-d5c20f3150cb/IMG_7261.jpg Publications - "Oro de Africa - Insignias de Poder", Colección Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile 2007 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/05542108-6c12-43cf-b90e-5cf7086f7cdb/IMG_4566.jpg Publications - "Oro de Africa - Insignias de Poder", Colección Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile 2007 "Oro de Africa - Insignias de Poder", Colección Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile 2007, p. 36 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/5f6c46e3-63a5-4a17-a838-ba1aa7ab8623/IMG_7260.jpg Publications - "Oro de Africa - Insignias de Poder", Colección Stephanie Uhart Negret, Santiago de Chile 2007 https://www.mooscollection.org/publications/project-one-f5w4d-925sg-ph2dh-xep6t-6s65h-fjmae monthly 0.5 2025-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a7b63855-1d55-4a90-9cee-ac4c98a36aff/IMG_4769.jpg Publications - Blum, Rudolf (2007). Rudolf and Leonore Blum Collection. Volume 2 B. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/6a49dcb5-9f05-4d28-8cff-59835bc299e5/IMG_9296.jpg Publications - Blum, Rudolf (2007). Rudolf and Leonore Blum Collection. Volume 2 B. Blum, Rudolf (2007). Collection Rudolf and Leonore Blum. Volume 2 B. Zumikon: Self-published. No. 38. https://www.mooscollection.org/kweku-okokroko-gallery daily 0.75 2026-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/98b93105-1d1c-4d68-9699-22fd39beec04/Portrait.JPG https://www.mooscollection.org/kweku-okokroko-gallery/project-one-ephnc-pg3j3-sst7y monthly 0.5 2026-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/2f2c6790-594c-47a9-b44b-1424f3d0baf1/D1.jpg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Abrewa Posoposo Detail of the pectoral in the painting. A double pectoral seen here is called a Mourner's pectoral (awisiado or "orphan's necklace") and are typically worn by close relatives, male or female of the deceased at funerals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/10ac9acb-1f93-4b4c-ae37-ccbfee218e2b/IMG_2169.jpg.webp Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Abrewa Posoposo Asante Pectorals “Soul Washer’s discs” (Akrafokonmu), Ghana. Cast gold alloy (left) 12cm, and wood covered with gold foil (right) 13cm. Pectorals were worn as a sign of rank and allegiance of the royal families at the festivities. They are worn by distinguished dignitaries and are also called soul disks. The symbol of the sun also allegorically stands for the radiant soul of Asantehene (Regent of the Asante) and is supposed to protect the bearers. The bearer also protects and holds a part of the soul of the chief. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c26eee47-2200-478d-bed1-c61798f6a44f/E1.jpg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Abrewa Posoposo Detail of the kente cloth in the painting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/7f91e07a-3d40-4696-aa20-eecf63d03a28/IMG_3418.jpeg.webp Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Abrewa Posoposo Asante Kente Cloth Textile, Early/Mid 20th C. Silk and Cotton.118'' x 80'' (300 x 203 cm) From the collection of Allan Stone, New York. Kente cloth like this example are woven on a loom in strips. The alternating patterns are carefully thought out and visualized by the weaver. Once all the strips are woven, they are then hand sewn together to form the full cloth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/a12dcbbe-e213-4dab-8b4d-dbcb4de49a53/C1.jpg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Abrewa Posoposo Detail of the chief sandals (mpaboa) in the painting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/c9b1451b-1ddb-406d-96f3-b1749c9b326d/tempImageNaFy52.png.webp Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Abrewa Posoposo Chief sandals (mpaboa), leather, wood covered with gold foil. Ghana. Sandals are the equivalent to the European crown when identifying a ruler in the Akan states. The straps are usually covered with gold ornaments that point to proverbs and can also be seen on the abotire headbands or “crowns” of the Akan. It is most likely that the sandals came first and influenced the crowns. Here we see ornaments made of carved wood covered with gold leaf representing the night bird asantrofie (center). This bird motif addresses the dilemmas inherent in decision making, “If you take asantrofie you bring bad luck, if you leave asantrofie you lose good fortune,” a kind of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.’ (Ross). Other ornaments include fluted forms, cowrie shells, beetles, and the sun and moon motif. The fluted forms are representations of insect cocoons and are more frequently seen in cast form as gold weights. The image is meant to suggest a dilemma: “It is a puzzle to know how the caterpillar entered its cocoon; did it build it before entering it or did it build it around itself?” (Menzel 1968, 181). In other words, some things are destined to remain a mystery. The star and moon motif usually seen on abotire headbands points to a proverb recorded by Garrard: “The evening star, desirous of being married, always stays close to the moon.” He explained, “In the political context it would indicate that the people love their chief and will support him” (Ross). https://www.mooscollection.org/kweku-okokroko-gallery/project-one-ephnc-pg3j3-sst7y-w7a6t monthly 0.5 2026-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/fc7cfc8c-66e3-45a8-b405-5e0e38492953/IMG_5635.JPG Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ogya ne Sika Kɔkɔɔ Adaka Detail of the gold box (adaka) with 4 gold nuggets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/624c59eb-b74b-4570-8449-cbce13f7f291/3E08BCFA-709C-4E91-BDCE-1FD32561E197.jpg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ogya ne Sika Kɔkɔɔ Adaka Asante gold dust box, "adaka" with an intricately designed lid, Ghana, copper alloy. H 2.5cm. W 6.5cm. (Displayed with natural gold nuggets from various locations.) Published: Lüthi, Werner & David, Jean (2009). Exhibition catalogue: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. Gold in West African Art. Zurich: Galerie Walu, p. 46. Exhibited: Helvetic Gold Museum Burgdorf. https://www.mooscollection.org/kweku-okokroko-gallery/project-one-ephnc-pg3j3-sst7y-w7a6t-jj9ar monthly 0.5 2026-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1148bf31-9455-4af5-a9d4-d1a549a06d57/%C6%86sono-WEB.jpg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono Detail of the Elephant in the painting ƆSONO. An elephant of a blue-black silhouette and white contours walks towards the left. Trunk outward, under tall trees whose leaves sway in the upper right of a green canvas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/1e488eb8-7a1e-4065-b5b7-ad0d243ff80d/IMG_3378.jpeg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono An Asante linguist/ counselor’s staff topped with a finial of an elephant stepping on a trap. Wood, covered with gold foil, Ghana. 43.5” H. The staff is too short to be complete and is most likely missing the middle section as evident in the miss matched pattern in the center transitional joint. Staffs are commonly much taller. The tusks are broken and at one point we’re much longer. Doran Ross writes “Issues of succession aside, many images in Akan regalia emphatically proclaim the power of the chief, both physically and intellectually. The staff with the chain link shaft has a finial of an elephant standing on an animal trap. Its maxim is generally translated as, "When the elephant steps on trap, it does not spring." Kojo Bonsu, with a slightly different twist on the meaning, said in English, "When elephant steps on trap, no more trap!" Also seen on the staff is the chain link. Ross explains it as “The solidity of the family and the integrity of succession are often referenced in carvings and castings of linked chains. Peggy Appiah in a 1977 communication cites the following: "If we are linked together like a chain, in life we are linked, in death we are linked. Family links are never broken." This graphically emphasizes the strength of family bonds.” Ex collection of Dr. & Mrs. John Finley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/58ab5670-e87f-4ce9-82c1-59059a48de81/A81E926C-75D9-4E07-A5A1-BB9177C63FA6.jpeg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono A Baule pith helmet with an elephant finial. Côte d’Ivoire. Early to mid-20th century. Carved wood, gold foil. The Baule notables appropriated images from European colonial origin associated with prestige, power, and authority. Among them are crowns and pith helmets. These skeuomorph items were worn and displayed in special functions to project rank, authority and importance. Ex estate of René David (1928-2015) Zurich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/f4d5bea1-5e5d-4001-b023-38e2b8dab2e3/image.png Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono Akan Fly whisk if a notable with an elephant finial. Wood, gold foil, textile, L: 28 cm / 100 cm, L: 11,0 inch / 39,4 inch Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana. EX Zemanek Münster Germany. EX Dieter Schaffner, Groß-Gerau , Germany https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/0dd30a03-2de0-4501-b233-7d9309f68c11/IMG_7779.jpeg Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono A fly whisk made of an elephant tail is known as “mena”. Wood, covered with gold foil, elephant tail/ hair, textile. H 70 cm. “At one time elephant tail fly whisks (mena) were ubiquitious in the courts of many Akan chiefs. At the Asante Odwira festival of 1817, Bowdich observed “Elephant tails waving like a small cloud.” A photograph from the 1960s, taken as part of Kyerematan’s study for The Panoply of Ghana documents twenty-three elephant tail fly whisks in the regalia at NKoranza. Traditionally the whisk was a symbol of entitlement, the “heraldic badge” earned by the ɔbirɛmpɔn (big man) and conferred by the Asantehene. This title was given to the most successful accumulators of wealth and was held by the heads of the hereditary chiefdoms. In the Asante kingdom, only the Asantehene is allowed to possess a gold-handled elephant tail. There has been substantial speculation on the relationship between wealth and the elephant tail. Wilks considers it in relation to the proverb, “The elephant’s tail is short, but it is able to sweep flies away.” He goes on to explain: The sense is that the elephant did not allow the handicap of a short tail to prevent him from achieving preeminence...thus should the citizen sweep away all obstacles in his or hers pursuit of riches. The elephant tail or mena is the symbol in other words, not so much as wealth as such, but rather of the accomplishment and achievement which characterize the acquisitive process. (Wilks 1975,15).-D.Ross. Provenance: Galerie Walu, Zurich, Switzerland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/afd45a99-ecc6-453b-aa67-78204bfdf2b2/image.png Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono Two Asante 19th c. gold weight in the shape of a Elephant tail fly whisk (mena). Bronze. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/4a3076a4-80f8-4885-914f-6a1f3ed5b27a/image.png Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono An Akan or Baule gilded copper alloy pendant with two birds and an elephant. 3.5” dia. Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana. EX Paul Tishman collection (NY) by decent. “Paul Tishman was often asked why he and his wife Ruth decided to collect African art. His simple reply: How does one fall in love?” Most of the Tishman collection was bought by the Walt Disney company in the mid 80s and in 2005, Disney donated all 525 objects in the collection to the Smithsonian National Museum of African art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/641760c30d13305fe14f3ff0/e8c2db22-8c6a-451e-9b16-2635b9984bbf/image.png Kweku Okokroko Gallery - Ɔsono Mole National Park, Ghana 2002 (From the Mooscollection photo archives)