disc pendant;
soul disc
- Museum number
- Af,Ash.18
- Title
- Series: Asante Gold
- Description
-
This uni-facial disc pendant (akrafokonmu) combines lost wax casting and sheet gold working techniques. The central boss and hemispherical protrusions are lost wax castings, the body of the disc is made of sheet gold decorated with repoussé work. The conical central boss is inserted from the back of the disc and soldered in place. The boss is decorated with five loops of fine gold wire which are soldered to it. The main ground of the disc is sub-divided into five areas by four sets of three raised lines that form an equal-arm cross design. The ground surrounding the central boss is decorated with symmetrical repoussé work leaf-shaped motifs. The four grounds around the perimeter of the disc are also decorated with repoussé work foliate designs which are encompassed by a circle of repoussé vertical lines that form the perimeter of the disc. The rim is folded back on itself, covering the soldered joins where the suspension lugs and decorative hemispheres occur.
- Production date
- 19thC early (before 1874)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 9 centimetres
-
Weight: 21.36 grammes
-
Width: 8.40 centimetres
-
Depth: 1.10 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- The design of this disc pendant is a variant of the lozenge form or equal-armed cross, expressed as four arcs, which is commonly known as the 'Cross of Agades' and is found all over North Africa.
The floral motifs may symbolise aya leaves, with their attendant symbolism of defiance. Aya leaves are often seen on other types of metal-work and, in a variant form, on adinkra stamped cloth. The overall design is based on Islamic floral patterns and in Asante is considered to be a symbol of Onyame, the supreme creator God.
This disc pendant is also very similar to examples depicted in Jean Barbot's engraving of Akan gold ornaments published in 1732 suggesting that it has a long history of use in Islamic and Akan art.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good. Small splits and bent areas in places.
- Acquisition date
- 1876
- Acquisition notes
- See Christy Correspondence (File C)
Letter from W Sargeaunt, Crown Agents for the Colonies, 22 January 1877, confirming price of £371. 0. 4. for 100.275 ozs. of 'Ashantee Gold Ornaments.'
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af,Ash.18
- Additional IDs
-
CDMS number: Af1876C6.18 (old CDMS no.)
