disc pendant;
soul disc
- Museum number
- Af,Ash.16
- Title
- Series: Asante Gold
- Description
-
This uni-facial disc pendant (akrafokonmu) combines sheet gold and lost wax casting techniques. The body of the disc is made of sheet metal decorated with repoussé work outlined from the front by dot punching. The pyramid-shaped central boss was made separately from sheet gold and decorated with four loops of gold wire which is soldered in place. The boss is inserted from the back through a hole in the disc and soldered, the area where they join is disguised by punched decoration. The central boss is surrounded by a circle of fourteen raised repoussé-work loops which are enclosed within a recessed circle of short repoussé-work radiating lines.
Surrounding these elements there is a sun-burst pattern of eleven nested triangles outlined from the front by dot punching. The main ground of the disc is decorated with dot punching to create a stippled effect. Around the perimeter of the disc a decorative circle of raised elliptical shapes are flanked either side by short raised vertical lines creating a cable pattern.The outer rim is made from a separate piece of sheet gold folded over the front and back of the disc and soldered in place. This rim is decorated by two hemispherical discs (lost wax castings) which are soldered on opposite one another and adajcent to the suspension lugs which are also soldered in place.
- Production date
- 1800-1874 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 10.50 centimetres
-
Weight: 42.12 grammes
-
Width: 10 centimetres
-
Depth: 1.10 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- The oval motifs on this disc pendant may be a reference to a cable pattern that probably derives from Islamic motifs found in North Africa.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1981-1984 20 Feb - 18 Mar, London, Museum of Mankind, Asante Kingdom of Gold
2018-2019 29 Sep-18 Aug, Dresden, Stiftung Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Shine on Me
2024, 1 May - 2027, 12 April, Kumasi, Ghana, Manhyia Palace Museum, Homecoming
- Condition
- Good. Central boss is bent, has small holes. Tiny spiral ring missing from side of lower semi-circular ray. Some tiny splits and bent areas throughout.
There is some crushing damage to the apex of the boss and very slight crumpling of the thin metal at the edge of the disc.
- Acquisition date
- 1876 (December)
- Acquisition notes
- See Christy Correspondence (File C)
Letter from W Sargeaunt, Crown Agents for the Colonies, 22 January 1877, confirming price for 100.275 ozs. of 'Ashantee Gold Ornaments' at £371. 0. 4.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af,Ash.16
- Additional IDs
-
CDMS number: Af1876C6.16 (old CDMS no.)
