Trophy head, 18th or 19th century (gold)

Akan (Ghana) gold head of Gyamanhene Adinkra or Bandahene Worosa. Funerary sculpture; bust of fallen foe sculpted in pur gold The prongs at the corners of the mouth represent the departure of the soul from the body. The trophy head is part of the fabulous golden treasure of King Kofi Kakari of Asante, and ancient kingdom in Ghana, West Africa; the treasure was seized by British soldiers on the orders of their commander, Field-Marshal Viscount Wolseley, during the Asante campaign of 1873. This spectacular trophy head was made in the West African state of Asante, in present-day Ghana. The Asante controlled extensive gold resources and were renowned for the objects they made from this precious metal. This head is among the most important and famous works of Asante art. The trophy head probably depicts a decapitated high status enemy. Such heads would have been attached to ceremonial swords. State swords belonged to Asante regalia – objects owned by the state and intended for public display. The Asante employed different sword ornaments, among which such gold heads were a common motif, often called ‘heads of Worosa’. The latter was chief of the northern Banda state who, reputedly, was assassinated by Asantehene (king of Asante) Osei Kwadwo for killing Asante traders, possibly around 1765. The first casting of Worosa’s head was probably made soon after, and more representations followed. Given its wear and damage, the head in the Wallace Collection might have been an early cast. The Asante built one of Africa’s most powerful states, famous for military might and vast wealth. Their political and cultural centre was Kumasi, where Asantehene had his palace with an impressive gold treasury. The head was taken from Kumasi by British forces during the Anglo-Asante war of 1873–4. It was sold to Garrard & Co. Ltd, the Crown Jeweller in London, from whom Wallace bought it together with a few more Asante objects, including swords, knives and gold rings.