|
HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Akan Gold : Akan Gold Beaded Necklace Featuring a Mask Pendant
|
 |
|
|
|
Akan Gold Beaded Necklace Featuring a Mask Pendant - FJ.6949
Origin: Ivroy Coast, Ghana
Circa: 17
th
Century AD
to 20
th
Century AD
Collection: African
Medium: Gold
Location: United States
|
|
|
| Photo Gallery |
|
|
| Description |
|
In many cultures throughout the world, gold has
been associated with status, power, prestige and
wealth. As early as the 15th century, European
merchants wrote about the richness of African
gold objects used for adornment and intended
for public display. Gold deposits were
discovered in all regions of Africa, and became
the most important commodity during pre-
colonial times. The region of the Akan,
spreading from the forest zone and costal areas
of Ghana to the southern shores of the Ivory
Coast, is the richest auriferous zone in West
Africa. Several individual tribes make up the
Akan people, the Asante and Baule being among
the most famous, all united by their common
ancestry and language. The royal courts of the
Akan people were reportedly the most splendid
in Africa. Oral tradition and iconography in Akan
works of art are very closely connected. Verbal
and visual symbolism tells stories or proverbs.
Imagery of royal power on court ornaments carry
out messages that helps keep the balance and
continuity within the society.
Some of the finest gold
castings from this area are in the form of human
heads, or more specifically, human faces.
Although they are commonly referred to as
“mask,” they have no known association with
masking traditions or cults. These faces
generally depict males with beards and small
moustaches, although they could represent
anyone, whether male or female, beautiful or
ugly. The Baule call these pendants ngblo or
stan trå, meaning, “a human head.” Both men
and women traditionally wear them as hair
ornaments or as necklaces. Occasionally, they
are still publicly displayed during special festivals
as signs of wealth and beauty. There was no
particular restriction regarding the ownership of
such ornaments. These works were not the
private regalia of the king and his loyal followers,
for they could be owned by anyone rich enough
to afford one. Such pendant heads are said to
represent “portraits” or friends and lovers.
Others are told to depict deceased ancestors or
former kings.
This gorgeous pendant is notable
both for its inherent luxury as well as its
sculptural simplicity. Decorative scarifications,
considered both a sign of rank and marks of
beauty, dot the forehead, brow, and cheek. The
face is framed by a circular disk, a form said to
originate from European examples. The void
between the outer edge of the face and the inner
border of the frame is filled by a serrated pattern
radiating from the mask as if rays of the sun.
The rest of the necklace is composed of oblong
rectangular beads with decorative openwork
triangles interspersed with smaller molded
spherical beads. This gorgeous necklace is so
stunning not so much for the inherent worth and
splendor of the material, but more for the
outstanding artistry and workmanship. Gold is
among the most treasured material on earth.
However, this artist of this necklace has
transformed the natural wonder of the gold into
something even more precious: a masterpiece of
African jewelry.
- (FJ.6949)
|
| |
|
