Chief's ring "mpetea" with mudfish

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Description

gold alloy 0,550 (13,2 carat), weight: 56,5 g, cast in lost form

“When the mudfish swallows anything, it does so for its master” that is, what is good for his subjects is good for the chief".

An important Akan chief, on occasion, may wear a cast-gold ring “mpetea” on each finger and indeed on each thumb. The hand is one of the most expressive parts of the human body and is integral to the rich Akan arts of gesture and dance. Rings, of course, bring even more attention to the hands and help amplify their expressive potential.

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Expertise

Nr.1205, Eidgenössisches Kontrollamt für Edelmetalle, Zurich, 25.8.1988

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Comparing literature

Ross, Doran H., Gold of the Akan from the Glassell Collection, Houston 2002, p. 168 ff.

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