Pectoral disc "akrafokonmu" ("soul washers badge") · Ghana, Akan / Ashanti · ID: 3045210
Roland Hartmann, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Description
gold leaf, finely chiselled, dam., base
The “Akrafokonmu” are among the most beautiful gold works of the Akan and served in earlier times as a badge of the royal messengers.
Mostly, however, they were carried by the “akrafo”, particularly attractive young men and women born on the same day as the king. By means of their youthful strength and beauty, they should contribute to the ritualistic cleansing and recharging of the life force of the king.
The object Pectoral disc “akrafokonmu” (“soul washers badge”) with the object ID 3045210 was part of the auction 91 Tribal Art Auction on March 9, 2019. The object with the lot number 153 achieved a sales price of EUR 650 with an asking price of EUR 600.
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Comparing literature
Ross, Doran H., Gold of the Akan from the Glassell Collection, Houston 2002, p. 116, ill. 5-3