VINTAGE FOROWA SHEA BUTTER CONTAINER COPPER BRONZE ASANTE GHANA WEST AFRICA

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is pleased to offer a superb vintage copper (or bronze)
Forowa
, from the Ashanti, Ghana, West Africa.
The Ashanti are a major ethnic group of the Akans (Ashanti and Fanti) in Ghana.
Two types of decorative brass vessels,
Forowa
and
Kuduo
, were made by the Ashante. The
forowa
is made from hammered or sheet brass, whereas the
kuduo
is always cast. The distinction is important because metal worked "cold" would be regarded as secular, and that which was cast or molten, "sacred", and this is reflected in the function of such vessels.
Kuduo
were created to store valuable possessions such as gold dust, and served the symbolic purpose of safeguarding their owners' kra, or life force. They played an important role in ceremonies intended to maintain the spiritual well-being of those who owned them, and at life's end, they were left at their owners' burial sites along with other personal possessions. The
Forowa
on the other hand was used in functions that were mainly domestic, such as the storage of shea butter, a vegetable fat which used in foods, cosmetics and as a fuel. Both types, however, were often decorated using a delicate and vibrant combination of geometric and figurative imagery, with influences from the Moslem regions of North Africa, as well as Europe, as can be seen in this intricate and quite beautiful copper or bronze
Forowa
.
It measures 4 inches in width by 4 inches in depth by 5 inches in height (10.1 cm by 10.1 cm by 12.7 cm). It is in very good condition, showing wear consistent with use and probably dates to the early 20th century.
Dating these vessels is difficult since the tradition, in effect, died out over one hundred years ago.
A fabulous collector’s item, it would be a perfect compliment in any collection of African art. It is guaranteed authentic.
GJPaw
Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the Globe at
Primitive
in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add
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A020718-071