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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
AS.On Loan : Akan Leather Sandals with Gold Ornaments
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Akan Leather Sandals with Gold Ornaments - PF.6126 (LSO)
Origin: Ghana
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
to 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
11.5" (29.2cm) high
Collection: African
Medium: Leather, Gold
Condition: Very Fine
Additional Information: AS
Location: UAE
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| Description |
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This striking pair of gold-adorned sandals was
worn by an Asantahene, a tribal leader of the
Akan people of what was once the Gold Coast,
modern-day Ghana. The Akan are a loose
assemblage of tribes – including the Akuapem,
the Akyem, the Ashanti, the Baoulé, the Anyi, the
Brong, the Fante and the Nzema – that share
general cultural trends while maintaining
separate tribal identities. Their society is highly
ritualised, with numerous gods under a main
deity who varies according to the group in
question (Onyame – the Supreme One – is the
Asante deity), and a host of lesser gods
(Abosom) who receive their power from the
principal god, and are mostly connected with the
natural world (earth, ocean, rivers, animals etc).
The Akan tribes are highly independent and
autocratic – their nation has come under the
covetous gaze of numerous European and
Northern African (Islamic) colonialists, and this
has made them rigid in terms of social order and
centralised power. The main reason for this
imperial interest was the long history of gold
mining and gold working in the area, which has
been taking place for at least 600 years.
The Akan consider gold to be the embodiment
of
sunlight and a physical manifestation of life’s
vital force, or “kra”. The economy is
based upon the trade in gold, which is most
prominently used for the manufacture of regalia
for the royal courts but also finds its way into
almost every aspect of elite life. For example,
“Akrafokonmu” (lit. “soul washer’s disk”)
pendants are worn by a series of beautiful young
people whose energy replenishes that of the
king. The use of gold was highly sophisticated,
with a regimented and standardised system of
gold-weights being used all over the region; to
make these the Akan traders originally relied on
a system of geometric weights which was
inherited from Islamic traders.
Solid gold and gilding was used to make many
of
the court insignia that signalled status in the
Akan royal court system. Elites often wore gold
jewellery, as did the king and his retinue. Special
insignia were made to mark out courtiers with
particular functions, such as translators, and
diplomats also wore expensive attire to signal
their status. These sandals are made from
leather
which has been extensively tooled and
decorated
across the soles with a hatched geometric
design
that probably had the dual effect of providing
decoration and
grip. These incised designs have been
highlighted with pigment in burgundy, brown
and yellow. The straps, which are secured with
metal studs, run from the sides to a central
thong that sat between the first and second
toes.
Each strap bears ten plaques of thin gold,
decorated with a herringbone and foliate
designs. These plaques are separated into two
groups of five by a central yellow silken tassel.
The workmanship is excellent. The low degree of
wear highlights the ceremonial nature of such
items, which could not have been worn on an
everyday basis. These are beautifully-made and
would be a fascinating addition to any serious
collection
of West African art.
- (PF.6126 (LSO))
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