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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.
A mask marks the center of this gold pendant,
with facial features consistent with masks from
Akan tribes including the Asante and the Baule.
A circular band surrounds the mask, embellished
with two concentric chevron patterns rendered in
granulated lines. A thicker band of concentric
rings in turn surrounds this inner band. Lines
radiate outwards like the rays of the sun. Loops
have been attached to the outer edge along the
top, bottom, and two sides. Such a pendant may
have been worn as a hair ornament, or
incorporated onto a garment.
- (CK.0018)
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