Object Details
- Label Text
- Among the more visually spectacular examples of Akan leadership regalia are the gold repoussé and cast circular pendants. Single disk pectorals are more characteristic among the Asante, forming a category known popularly as soul washer’s badges or soul disks (akrafokanmu) that are worn by court officials charged with cleansing the soul of the rule and, by extension, his realm. Africanist art historian Suzanne Gott, who donated this dual-disk pendant (awasiaado or awisiado) notes that Asante necklaces with two pendant disks, such as this example, are called adebo or adaaboo. They form part of Asante royal regalia, worn by the ruler and the members of the court. It is a type of regalia that has received little attention in the scholarly literature.
- Though part of Asante regalia, the context of the dual-disk pectoral has broadened, according to Gott, to include its display in the funerals of non-royals, where it is known as the “orphan’s necklace.” This term suggests the feeling of loss and abandonment that occurs at the death of a loved one and underscores the importance of mothers in Asante society, which is matrilineal. Gott suggests that the pectoral’s breast-like forms link to ideas associated with fertility and maternal benevolence.
- Very few museums have dual-disk pectoral in their collection, and only a few examples of gold dual pectorals have been published. This example, of cast copper alloy, is a more humble example, and, according to the donor, more interesting because of that. The donor, Suzanne Gott, notes that it is the only clear example of a funerary awisiaado, as revealed by the attachment of red mourning cloth. It was acquired by her in the 1980s or early 1990s from an African dealer making a stop in Bloomington, Indiana. Gott knew that such items of regalia rarely make it to the market, as they are often typically melted down and recast into another jewelry form or for another purpose.
- Suzanne Gott published an image of this dual-disk pectoral in her 2003 African Arts article, “Golden Emblems of Maternal Benevolence.”
- Description
- Pendant made of two separately cast copper alloy disks, attached to each other through a rod at the back. There is a double linked chain for suspension, red fiber at the join linking the two pendants, and white fiber wrapped around the outer joins where the pendants are attached to the chain. Each pendant is distinguished by a central raised protuberance, openwork, interlaced linear patterns, and projecting curvilinear decorations located equidistant around the circumference of each pendant. The pectoral is in very good condition; the donor reports that there is a weakened link in the neck chain.
- Provenance
- Suzanne Gott, Bloomington, purchased 1980s-early 1990s to 2013
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Asante artist
- Date
- Mid-20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Suzanne Gott in honor of Roy and Sophia Sieber
- Medium
- Copper alloy, wood, cloth, string
- Dimensions
- 11.4 cm (4.5 in. diameter for each disk). When mounted on connected wooden disk to form dual disk pectoral, the length is approximately 12 in (single sleeve).
- Type
- Jewelry
