Ashanti - Ghana (No reserve price)

Ashanti (Asante) metal sculpture of a sitting king under a ceremonial canopy with a servant – Ghana – 20th century

Description:
A beautifully detailed, hand-crafted West African figurine in the Ashanti (Asante) / Akan culture tradition from Ghana. This type of figurative art is closely related to the historical African goldweights (mrammou), but this larger and heavier example was produced in the course of the 20th century as a high-quality collectible and decorative piece.
The sculpture shows a seated clan head or king (Ohene) on a traditional throne. He holds a ceremonial attribute and is shaded by a large, detailed royal parasol (canopy), which within Akan culture is an important symbol of status, royal dignity, and spiritual protection. Behind the throne stands a smaller figure (courier or servant) who assists with the ceremony.

The object is handmade using the traditional lost-wax method (cire perdue), which makes each piece unique. On the underside of the base, the authentic casting traces, the hollow core opening, and the historic file marks to smooth the casting edges are beautifully visible. The copper alloy (brass/bronze) features a characteristic, dark brown weathered patina.

Specifications:

* Culture / Region: Ashanti / Akan (Ghana, West Africa)
* Object: Figurative metal sculpture
* Material: Brass / Bronze (copper alloy)
* Production method: Lost-wax method (cire perdue)
* Dating: Mid 20th century (ca. 1950 - 1970)
* Height: 12.5 cm
* Base diameter: approx. 5 cm
* Weight: 251 grams
* Condition: In very good vintage condition with a beautiful, natural patina of age. No breaks or restorations. See the photos for a full personal impression of the details and quality.

Keywords / Keywords:
Ashanti, Asante, Akan, Ghana, African art, tribale art, tribal art, ethnographic, ethnographical, bronze, brass, goldweight, mrammou, abrammuo, cire perdue, lost wax, cire-perdue, chief, king, parasol, canopy, umbrella, vintage, antique, antique, West Africa, folk art, figurative, figurative sculpture.