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In many cultures throughout the world, gold has
been associated with status, power, wealth and
prestige. 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.
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. This gorgeous pendant
mask is 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 pendant has
transformed the natural wonder of the gold into
something even more precious: a masterpiece of
African art.
- (FJ.6873)
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