Pendant - Akan - Ghana - Three amulet-like pendants. (No reserve price)
01
day
11
hours
51
minutes
53
seconds
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 123113 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Three bronze Akan-style amuletic pendants from Ghana in West Africa, weighing a total of 85 g, with dimensions 7.3 × 4.7 cm, 3.7 × 2.5 cm and 5.3 × 3 cm, in good used condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Bronze amulet pendants of the Akan tradition, West Africa, Ghana, c. 1960
Refined set of three amulet pendants in bronze, made according to traditional West African techniques, particularly from the Akan cultural area (southern Ghana). The three pieces, cast in bronze using the lost wax method and characterized by highly symbolic shapes, belong to the realm of protective and talismanic objects used in daily life or during local rituals.
The first pendant, the most elaborate, features a stylized figure with a geometric and spiral structure, typical of Akan ornaments associated with concepts of fertility, protection, and prosperity. The depiction of circular motifs, combined with the patina dulled by time, reveals handcrafted work from the mid-20th century. (7.3 x 4.7 cm)
The second pendant depicts a turtle, an animal recurring in West African mythology as a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and good luck. Its compact shape and the upper ring suggest it is used as a personal amulet to wear or hang. (3.7 x 2.5 cm)
The third pendant depicts a sinuous snake, a creature associated with regeneration, healing, and spiritual power; the spontaneous shaping and the worn surface suggest a piece that was actually used. (5.3 x 3 cm)
The whole reflects the continuity of the sub-Saharan metallurgical tradition and the apotropaic value attributed to these small ritual objects.
Bronze amulet pendants of the Akan tradition, West Africa, Ghana, c. 1960
Refined set of three amulet pendants in bronze, made according to traditional West African techniques, particularly from the Akan cultural area (southern Ghana). The three pieces, cast in bronze using the lost wax method and characterized by highly symbolic shapes, belong to the realm of protective and talismanic objects used in daily life or during local rituals.
The first pendant, the most elaborate, features a stylized figure with a geometric and spiral structure, typical of Akan ornaments associated with concepts of fertility, protection, and prosperity. The depiction of circular motifs, combined with the patina dulled by time, reveals handcrafted work from the mid-20th century. (7.3 x 4.7 cm)
The second pendant depicts a turtle, an animal recurring in West African mythology as a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and good luck. Its compact shape and the upper ring suggest it is used as a personal amulet to wear or hang. (3.7 x 2.5 cm)
The third pendant depicts a sinuous snake, a creature associated with regeneration, healing, and spiritual power; the spontaneous shaping and the worn surface suggest a piece that was actually used. (5.3 x 3 cm)
The whole reflects the continuity of the sub-Saharan metallurgical tradition and the apotropaic value attributed to these small ritual objects.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Metal
Bronze alloy amulet pendants from the Akan tradition.
Total weight
85 g
Condition
Good condition - used with some signs of wear
Ethnic group/ culture
Akan
Country of Origin
Ghana
Sold with stand
No
Title additional information
Three amulet-like pendants.
Width
7.3 cm
Length
4.7 cm
Sold by
