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THB9th C. African Akan Wood Ornament w/ 23K+ Gold Foil
Lot 128
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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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 CE. A 23K+ gold foil (97% gold) covered finely carved ornament, possibly a staff finial, presenting two figures facing one another with a diminutive elephant atop the crossbar between them. In African fables, the African elephant is understood as a wise leader who is impartial and trusted to settle disputes among the animals of the forest. Interestingly, the Ashanti (also Asante, among the Akan peoples) believe that elephants are actually embodiments of human chiefs of the past. A wonderful piece of Akan artistry, replete with impressive form, carving and gold foiling technique, and intriguing iconography - perhaps the men depicted on this ornament are consulting the elephant to help settle a dispute. Size: 7.5" W x 4.375" H (19 cm x 11.1 cm); 5.625" H (14.3 cm) on included custom stand. Gold quality: 97%, equivalent to over 23 karat gold.
Note the impressive carving technique on display in this piece as well as the beautiful gold foil detailing. The human figures as well as the elephant are finely modeled and the gold foil is skillfully applied to their surfaces. Furthermore, the crossbar is impressed with wonderful kente cloth motifs.
Gold-leafing is a longstanding technique in the 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.
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.
#152378Minute tears and losses to gold foil as shown, but relatively well preserved for its age. A wonderful example replete with impressive artistry and technique. Felt is attached to the underside of the ornament.Condition
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