Queen's Bracelet
Date: Mid 19th century
Dimensions:
Max Diam: 9.4 cm (3 3/4 in.); Weight: 176.6 g. (5.68 oz. troy)
Medium: Gold; lost-wax casting with wire, repoussé, chasing, soldering
Place of Origin: Asante Group, Akan People, Ghana
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Partial gift of Rahwae and Msimbi Shuman and partial purchase with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 2009.327
Label Text:This set of bracelets once belonged to an Ashanti queen mother (mother of the ruler), a key advisor to the king. The oldest bracelet features strikingly asymmetrical twisted forms and incised decoration and a cowrie-shaped finial that symbolizes wealth, fertility, and status. The bracelet of braided wire has a cast ornament of a woman’s hand holding a rose, a design influenced by imported European jewelry and pattern-books. Hands symbolize authority among the Ashanti. The third bracelet represents royal power, with three cannons, two executioner’s swords, and stacks of protective soul discs (akrafokonmu). The queen mother wore the bracelet with cannons and swords on her right forearm, cannons facing forward, and the other two on her left forearm.
Description"Bulk" or "Bullion" bracelet
Not on view
In Collection(s)