ASHANTI SLAVER’S PECTORAL

Second half of the 19th century. Cast bronze in the tradition of the famous gold weights. 2 ¼” width formed as the crescent moon harboring a square, with a centered bird in full relief. Fine age patina. From the Sir Cecil Armitage Collection. The Ashanti inhabited modern day Ghana. They were active in the capture and trade of slaves to England, Holland and the Americas. They also kept slaves who served domestically, agriculturally and in the military.