4 African Ashanti Artifacts: 2 Gold Weights, Cast Bronze Ring & Head Fragment (ca. 18th-19th c. CE).

4 African Ashanti Artifacts: 2 Gold Weights, Cast Bronze Ring & Head Fragment (ca. 18th-19th c. CE). The Ashanti (or Asante) are part of the Akan ethnic group and are native to the Ashanti Region of modern Ghana. The Ashanti culture became especially famous for its gold and brass craftsmanship and wood carving. This lot includes: 1) Two Antique Ashanti Bronze Gold Weights. Sizes: 3.25”W x 2.75”H (tribal drummer); 5.25”W (serpent). Gold dust was used as a common medium of exchange in the bustling trade hub of the Asante empire of Africa’s “Gold Coast. Gold weights were used to measure gold dust and nuggets, but they were cast from brass. 2) Ashanti Cast Bronze Hausa Dignitary Ring (ca. 18th-19th c. CE). This 1.5” tribal chief-type ring was cast with 4 geometric sections, and one of the quadrants was miscast. 3) Antique 4.5” Wooden Head Fragment. The sculpted head was salvaged from a from a 19th century Ashanti sculpture. Provenance: ex-Dr. Gerald A. Smith collection; ex-Dr Monroe estate, which consisted of a large collection of African art collection.