In many cultures throughout the world, gold has
been associated with status, power, prestige and
wealth. As early as the 15th century, European
merchants wrote about the richness of African
gold objects used for adornment and intended
for public display. Gold deposits were
discovered in all regions of Africa, and became
the most important commodity during pre-
colonial times. The region of the Akan,
spreading from the forest zone and costal areas
of Ghana to the southern shores of the Ivory
Coast, is the richest auriferous zone in West
Africa. Several individual tribes make up the
Akan people, the Asante and Baule being among
the most famous, all united by their common
ancestry and language. The royal courts of the
Akan people were reportedly the most splendid
in Africa. Oral tradition and iconography in Akan
works of art are very closely connected. Verbal
and visual symbolism tells stories or proverbs.
Imagery of royal power on court ornaments carry
out messages that helps keep the balance and
continuity within the society.
This sumptuous necklace, with its large central
circular pendant, was surely intended for the
chief of an Akan village or the king of an
individual tribe. The central pendant depicts a
chameleon with its distinctive spiralled tail.
There is an Akan proverb that translates as, “the
chameleon can change its clothes, but not its
soul,” evoking the need for honest character in a
leader. Smaller rectangular beads interspersed
with round spheres compose the majority of the
remainder of the piece. This gorgeous necklace
is stunning not so much for the inherent worth
and splendor of the material, but more for the
outstanding artistry and workmanship of the
beads. Gold is among the most treasured
material on earth. However, the artist of this
necklace has transformed the natural wonder of
the gold into something even more precious: a
masterpiece of African jewelry.
- (FJ.6947)
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