African Non-weapon, please can anyone ID origin and symbolism

[fernando]

Hi David,
To my poor eyes and worse knowledge, it looks like lost wax work, similar to the looking of ceremonial daggers, like those from the Adamaua tribes
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=adamaua
Tim Simmons would most probably know.
I don't
But i like it.
Fernando

[katana]

Hi 'Nando ,
I'm glad you like it and thanks for your input. Yes, I too believe it is a lost wax casting. I wondered whether this was Ashanti, I have read that families owned similar 'boxes' to store gold and other precious items. There are many examples of Ashanti gold weights......made from brass/bronze these pieces are cast (lost wax) in many shapes (including zoomorphic, weapons, figures etc) and weights. Used on balance type scales to weigh gold dust/nuggets.

The animal designs seem to portray a turtle/tortoise and a lizard/crocodile. Whether these are 'guardian' spirits or 'good fortune' or protective icons, I have no idea.
The rounded body seems to have symbolism ....the sun ? I cannot work out the possible meaning of the fan shapes in the border ....simplified tufts of grass/reeds ? The linear design of the lid is mysterious too.

It weighs approx. 3.5 kgs ....so is no lightweight.....the 'box' seems to be cast in one piece.
I agree, Tim's great knowledge of casting may be able to shed more light.

Kind Regards David

[Tim Simmons]

You fellows make me blush.

I am not an expert but I am confident this box is from West Africa most probably Ghana, but one must realise that like standard Christian iconography which travels the globe, much African iconography travels far in its sphere of influence.

Looks nice!

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

You fellows make me blush.

I am not an expert but I am confident this box is from West Africa most probably Ghana, but one must realise that like standard Christian iconography which travels the globe, much African iconography travels far in its sphere of influence.

Looks nice!

Hi Tim ,
thank you for your comments ...if Ghana, then Ashanti could be a possibility. Could you please explain why you think West Africa (to further my knowledge) Any ideas as to the symbology....it might help me to discover its use.
Would you know if the 'box' (excluding the lid) be cast in 'one piece' ? Thank you

Kind Regards David

[Tim Simmons]

Looks cast in one piece and a nice casting. Fine modelling in bees wax is hard work, heat from your hands can make the surface of the wax sort of scummy and rough.

This box could well come from many cultures along the trade coast. Symbolism can be complex and vary. However in general on domestic items there is usually a simple meaning of good fortune, rather like bats on Chinese artefacts. You could see the turtle as longevity and the croc quite simply as good luck. The turtle can be long lived and wise. The crocodile in this case I suspect is used to express adaptability in life to take opportunity when it knocks. The Crocodile has the ability to live in water and land and indeed take prey when ever the opportunity arises{a little scary}. This is a most simple answer. In other areas the crocodile is also a royal/chiefly symbol which can be convey a very different twist to good fortune. There are some really good books on Akan and Ashanti amongst others gold work, which show the skilled wax work {rather pricey sadly}.

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

............ The crocodile in this case I suspect is used to express adaptability in life to take opportunity when it knocks. The Crocodile has the ability to live in water and land and indeed take prey when ever the opportunity arises{a little scary}. ........

Hi Tim,
thank you for the added details Interesting comment about the the crocodile's symbolism. The Ashanti often bury the box with their deceased.....containing gold/valuables....however in times of need these can be 'dug up' to benefit the family. I would assume that perhaps, this practise may be adopted by neighbouring tribes.
Also very pleased to discover that these boxes/containers were also made from wood and/or leather. The cast type were the property of the more wealthy/powerful members of the tribe.

".........The Ashanti developed remarkably diverse kuduo containers cast of copper alloys. Kuduo were used in many ways by the Ashanti. They held gold dust and other valuables, but could also be found in important political and ritual contexts. Some kuduo were buried with their owners, while others were kept in the palace shrine rooms that housed the ancestral stools of deceased state leaders. Life and the afterlife, the present and the past, were enhanced and made more meaningful by the presence of these elegant prestige vessels. ......."

" ..........The weights were used to measure out specific quantities of gold and gold dust, which was mined and panned in great quantities within the kingdom and used for trading with outsiders, for making personal adornments, and as an internal currency. The weights and their accoutrements such as boxes, spoons and balances were known as a futoo and wrapped together in cloth. They would then be put into a leather container, a wood box, or if the owner was a wealthy man, a cast-brass kuduo box. These boxes, full of gold dust, could be buried with their owners and dug up again if needed, or hidden in times of trouble. ........"

http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/colle...ti/index.shtml


Kind Regards David

[Tim Simmons]

David this picture is from, "Gold Of Africa" Timothy Garrard, prestel 1989 now a rather expensive book. As you can see the picture relates to text no.3 so now your thread is very much weapon based. It is not just the Japanese that have fancy metalwork decoration on swords?