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THB19th C. African Akan 22K+ Gold Foil Scabbard / Knife
Lot 129
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,400 - $3,600
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Feb 13, 2020
Set Reminder
2020-02-13 10:00:00
2020-02-13 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-4848
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
An important one-day auction featuring museum-worthy examples of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (411)
- Lot Description
West Africa, Ghana, Akan, late 19th to early 20th century. A very special Akan sepo carbon steel knife with a 22K+ gold foil (95% gold) covered wood handle and sheath. The sheath presents an elegant design comprised of two egg-like volumes protruding in high relief from the long rectangular backing and a perforated loop at the back for attaching to the owner's clothing. The handle presents a hemispheric base followed by a narrow lozenge-shaped passage followed by a crown-like pommel. The gold foil is meticulously impressed with striated and kente textile-inspired geometric patterns throughout. A knife like this was created for an Akan court official known as either an adumfoo or an atumtufoo - two positions that are variously translated as constabulary, bodyguards, and executioners. Size: 9.25" H (23.5 cm); 10.5" H (26.7 cm) on included custom stand. Gold quality: 95%, equivalent to over 22 karat gold.
According to scholar Doran H. Ross, "Sepo are generally referred to as 'executioners' knives' and were once thrust through the cheeks of a criminal to prevent oaths against the chief before another sepo was used to decapitate the victim." ("Gold of the Akan from the Glassell Collection" by Doran H. Ross with contributions by Frances Marzio: The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 2002, p. 123.)
Gold-leafing is a longstanding technique in the Akan region of Ghana. To create gold-leaf a pellet of gold is meticulously hammered and turned on an anvil until forming a uniformly thin sheet. Once created, this gold leaf is carefully placed on a carved object and secured via an adhesive or tiny metal staples.
See another gold-foil covered sepo handle in Doran H. Ross's "Gold of the Akan from the Glassell Collection" (The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 2002) figure 5.16 on page 126.
Provenance: private Glendale, Arizona, USA collection, collected from 1970 to 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#152376Blade has developed a rich age patina. Minute tears and losses to gold foil as shown, but relatively well preserved for its age. A wonderful example replete with impressive artistry and technique.Condition
- Shipping Info
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