Subject: warrior
Culture: Asante/Ashanti
Setting: Asante empire 1806-1902
Object: jewelry
Kimbell Art Museum > The Language of Beauty in African Art *
"Pectoral Disk (Akrafokonmu) Possibly 19th century Asante; Ghana Gold ...
The Asante name for hammered gold pectorals like this example, akrafokonmu,
refers to their primary ownership by young officials charged with the purification of the chief's soul.
These young men, known as akrafo, would typically wear them as charms against evil,
suspended by a white cord of pineapple fiber over the chest.
But they could also be part of the insignia of other title holders,
such as royal messengers, linguists, war leaders, and sub chiefs,
and occasionally they were attached to a cap or inserted into the hair."
* Earthbound Trading
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Kimbell Art Museum > The Language of Beauty in African Art *
"Scorpion Ring Early to mid-20th century Asante; Ghana Gold ...
Large gold rings are a standard part of an Asante chief's ceremonial dress.
He can naturally show them off when he shakes hands or waves at the audience,
or even while resting his palms on his knees in state.
In addition to conveying his status and prestige with the shine and cost of gold,
they also feature symbolic imagery that draws heavily from Asante proverbs and wisdom.
This example would highlight the authority and fighting strength of its wearer by alluding to proverbs
describing how the scorpion wields a powerful sting."
