Crown

CultureEwe peoples
Titles
  • Crown
Date1900–1950
PlaceTogo, Africa
PlaceGhana, Africa
MediumRepousse sheet gold
DimensionsOverall: 6 3/4 × 7 in. (17.1 × 17.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Alfred C. Glassell, Jr.
Object number97.788
Non exposé

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Description

This crown represents a blending of cultures. It is European in style and depicts native African animals: an elephant and a duiker, a type of small antelope. The design relates a famous proverb about the importance of intelligence. "Although the elephant is the biggest animal in the forest, it is the wise little duiker that rules the forest."


 For centuries, the chiefs and court members of the Akan peoples have worn a variety of creative headdresses, often adopting European-style crowns and helmets. This crown is fashioned from gold sheet. Such crowns of pure gold are extremely rare.


 The fern leaves on this crown relay the message "The chief does not fear insults," because the Akan words for fern and insult are similar. Ferns are also thought to grow even in difficult circumstances and under harsh conditions, so they are seen as a symbol of endurance and success over adversity.


 


ProvenanceAlfred C. Glassell, Jr. (1913–2008), Houston, before 1997; given to MFAH, 1997.
Exhibition HistoryExhibited: "The Private Eye: Selected Works from Collections of Friends of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston" from June 10, 1989 through August 13, 1989 at the MFAH.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Crown
1900–1925
Wood, gold leaf, velvet
97.787
Crown Depicting Rulers Holding Ceremonial Staffs
800–1375 AD
Hammered and chased gold
2001.1065
Chief's crown
1900–1915
Gold leaf, wood, and velvet
97.898
Crown
1735–1790
Hammered and repousse gold
2004.2281.A-.D
Crown
1900–1925
Gold and velvet
97.786
Crown Decorated with gold leaf objects
1900–1915
Wood, velvet, gold leaf
97.895
Chief Swordbearer's Headdress
1825–1840
Sheet gold, sheet metal, cloth, feathers, leather, wood, and metal staples
97.908
Sword
1895–1905
Iron, wood, gold leaf
97.1365
Crown
1900–1915
Antelope, wood, and gold leaf
97.897
Sword
1895–1905
Wood, gold leaf, iron
97.1364
Sword
1895–1905
Iron, gold leaf and wood
97.1373
Scan from photography for Glassell catalog
1930–1950
Iron, wood, and gold leaf
97.1378