An interesting, finely and carefully executed bronze group of the Ashanti. The item was executed in a single piece of yellow cast-alloy (with a high percentage of copper!) with ‘waste mould’.
The scene offers a very realistic depiction of an Ashanti king, called ‘Asantehene’, as he is carried on his litter. It reflects precisely the customs of official appearances of an Ashanti king. He sits under an honorary umbrella, with his gold crown, gold ornaments and ceremonial objects. He is surrounded by ten figures: four litter bearers, an umbrella holder behind the king and five dignitaries of the royal court, who stand at the end of the litter and carry important insignia of his power. There are four ceremonial swords of the king and a man with a ‘speaking rod’, all of which belonged to the the king’s regalia and were covered with gold sheet.
Overall a historically highly interesting, original and ‘narrative’ object of fine craftsmanship. With dark, old bronze patina and lightweight verdigris (due to the copper content of the material).
Between c. 1900 and the first half of the 20th century; dimensions: H: 10 cm, L: 13.5 cm, W: 7.3 cm. Provenance: Collection of Prof. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna. (ME)