Box Item Number: K2.84 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Pointed oval-shaped metal box (part a) with a lid (part b). The box (part a) has a border of chevrons around the sides. The lid (part b) has a geometric stripe design that consists of alternating horizontal bands of circles and of dots.

History Of Use

Container for gold dust, which was used as the standard currency in the Asante kingdom. The blacksmiths who produced these boxes were called tounufe.

Specific Techniques

Made with the cire-perdue or lost-wax method. The mould is made of beeswax, covered with clay, and then fired. The wax melts and the hollow clay cast is then filled with scraps of copper-based alloy, before being fired for a second time.