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.
This sumptuous necklace, with its large central
circular pendant, was surely intended for the
chief of an Akan village or the king of an
individual tribe. The central pendant depicts a
crocodile with its distinctive spiny back. The
crocodile is a traditional symbol of chiefly
strength and power. There is an Akan proverb
that translates as, “fish in the stream grow fat…
for the benefit of the crocodile,” detailing that
the wealth of the villagers is the wealth of the
king. Smaller rectangular beads interspersed with
round spheres compose the remainder of the
piece. This gorgeous necklace is stunning not so
much for the inherent worth and splendor of the
material, but more for the outstanding artistry
and workmanship of the beads. Gold is among
the most treasured material on earth. However,
the artist of this necklace has transformed the
natural wonder of the gold into something even
more precious: a masterpiece of African jewelry.
- (FJ.6948)
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