Among the Akan, the ethnic group most numerous and important in Ghana, are particularly significant bronze objects used for the handling of gold dust, raw material relatively common in the former "Gold Coast" rich mines of the precious metal. Containers closed by lids decorated, if such forged or kudu Forowa if built with a riveted plate, as well as ornate spoons are objects of prestige and loads of unequaled beauty. addition, of course, to those who are perhaps the most famous objects in bronze of West Africa, namely the "goldweights, small statues figurative or geometric figures to weigh gold dust.
what shows in these images is neither a spoon, given the large capacity and very deep, or a container as such, but it is a kind of cup, probably connected with ritual use or however, related to trade in gold.
To look is quite old, perhaps dating from the 19th century, and the decorations are refined and delicate as the flower seeds now invisible has been recorded on the external lower surface. It 's a simple object but, in my opinion, very nice.
comes from the private collection of a German fan of bronze objects, Dr. Topp, who bought it as kudu, but they are not convinced of this, submitted it to the expert opinion of the famous Karl-Ferdinand Schaedler that the identified as "sacred cup for special occasions" and similar appearance with a copy posted on its volume Erde und Erz page. 173.
Io l'ho dal acquistata collezionista ed esperto Wilfried Glar inglese, che l'acquisto a sua volta nei primi anni '80 da top.
Bibliografia:
Bibliografia:
1) The arts of Ghana
Herbert M. Cole - Doran H. Ross - UCLA, Los Angeles, 1977
2) earth and ore 2500 years of African Art terracotta and metal
Karl-Ferdinand Schaedler - Panterra Verlag, Munchen, 1997
3) The art of metal in Africa
Marie Therèse Brin Card - The African - American Institute, New York, 1982
4) Bronzes et autres Alliages. Afrique de l'Ouest
Andre Blandin - Marignane (FR), 1988
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