2014.26.2 Pendant bead

This elaborately worked golden bead was acquired by a British official in the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) in 1884 and may have been part of the royal regalia of Asante ruler Kwaku Dua II. It was made by a member of the royal guild of goldsmiths and cast by the lost-wax process, during which a molten metal is poured into a mold created by a wax model. The “T” design was fashionable during the late 17th century but is rarely found in Asante art collections or contemporary royal regalia.

The regalia of an Asantehene (king) included many other objects made of gold or covered with gold leaf, including stools, chairs, palanquins, state sword ornaments, and linguist staffs. His own body was often covered from head to toe in gold objects.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

1883 or 1884: Either purchased or was presented as diplomatic gift from the Asante leadership to two British colonial officials, one of whom was Assistant Inspector Brandon Kirby, in the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana)

Before 1891: John Edward Cree (d. 1929), Scotland and Carrizozo, New Mexico

n.d.: John Cree (his great-great grandson), by descent

2014: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from above through Shango Galleries, Dallas, Texas [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the Acquisition Proposal in the Collections Records object file (2014.26.1). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[1] See the copy of the invoice dated June 1, 2014, in the Collections Records object file (2014.26.2). 

Examples of Asante gold beads collected by French merchant Jean Barbot in the 1670s.

From Jean Barbot, P. E. H. Hair, Adam Jones, and Robin Law, eds . Barbot on Guinea: The Writings of Jean Barbot on West Africa, 1678–1732 (London: Hakluyt Society, 1992).

Apply to objects where number equals 2014.26.2