Rare Gilded Silver ‘Bur’ Ring, Akan People, Ghana, early-mid 20th century
Rare Gilded Silver ‘Bur’ Ring
Akan People, Ghana
early-mid 20th century
diameter of bezel: 5.5cm, UK ring size: R, US ring size: 8 3/4, weight: 47g
This dramatic and wearable ring is of gilded (or gold-plated) silver. The bezel is in the shape of a star burst or perhaps a bur seed.
The hoop is decorated with two bands of incised cross-hatching.
Such rings were worn by local Akan or Ashanti (Asante) chiefs and were intended to both dazzle and convey a message to the beholder.
It is a fine piece of small sculpture. There is wear to the gold plating on the extremities as might be expected but otherwise is in fine, stable and wearable condition. If worn, it certainly will prove a memorable conversation piece!
References
Cole, H. M. & D. H. Ross, The Arts of Ghana, Regents of the University of California, 1977.
Garrard, T. F.,
African Gold, Prestel, 2011.
Provenance
UK private collection
Inventory no.: 4622
SOLD
here