Lot 177: An Akan interlocutor's staff finial

Akan, Ghana; L: 11 1/2"

Of typical form, the group of figures covered in thick gold foil. Some minor losses, however overall excellent condition.

Comments:
This, object, called, poma akyi would have served as the finial of a staff of a principal counselor and spokesman, Okyeame, for a paramount chief; they are used by the Ashanti and the Akan in general as indirect communication to clientele. Every chief had two or more staffs in reference to a variety of social and political situations matched by relevant messages on the finial. This wooden object covered with gold-leaf depicts a seated noble who points to his eye with his index finger and is confronted by three smaller figures who stand before an animal. The finger to eye gesture refers to the proverb: “Merebepee mu (I am here to investigate). The linguist thus implies that the matter under consideration deserves thorough investigation and stresses the role of the paramount chief.

Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 16, Fig. 35

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

Price Realized: $1,600

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