disc pendant;
soul disc
- Museum number
- Af1874,0521.6
- Title
- Series: Asante Gold
- Description
-
A bi-facial disc pendant (akrafokonmu) formed from two sheets of gold, each with raised central bosses surrounded by four small subsidiary bosses and identical repoussé decoration. The discs are joined together around the outer edge by a rolled seam. The bosses and the concentric circles that surround them have been created using dome-shaped punches. Two motifs located on opposite sides of the disc may represent stylised bows and arrows. The suspension lugs are formed from ovals of gold wire soldered to very shallow projections located either side of the rim.
- Production date
- 19thC early (before 1874)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 12 centimetres
-
Weight: 132.02 grammes
-
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.
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
- Fair. The disc pendant is bent in places on both front and back. Left proper lug detached. Some small holes. Some crushing damage. Bent and split on back and front close to lugs.
- Acquisition date
- 1874
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af1874,0521.6
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: Af1874,0521 (?)
