Unidentified, Akan

State Sword Ornament (abosodee)

n.d.

Category
Culture
Akan
Place Made
Ghana
Materials
Gold, felt
Measurements
2 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 13 in (6.35 x 13.335 x 33.02 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Françoise Billion Richardson in honor of E. John Bullard's 35th Anniversary as Director of NOMA
Copyright
Gift of Françoise Billion Richardson in honor of E. John Bullard's 35th Anniversary as Director of NOMA
Accession #
2007.96
Description

Gold crocodile ornament of a ritual sword. Long snout with open mouth, narrow eye openings, and several eye-shaped openings on the body. All openings reveal red felt lining. Crosshatched impressed design creates scale pattern on back, and serrated ridge follows animal's spine starting mid-back. Four legs with delicately modeled claws, each incised with parallel diagonal lines. Rhombus shaped design adorns animal's head with linear design within.