sculpture, wood
african-art
sculpture
figuration
sculpture
wood
Dimensions: 15 1/8 x 7 x 3 in. (38.4 x 17.8 x 7.6 cm)
Copyright: No Copyright - United States
This *Pair of Figures from a Shrine Group* were carved by Kwaku Benpoh, probably using an adze, to take away small chips of wood. It’s so intriguing to imagine Benpoh standing, bending, and squinting to see these figures emerge. These two figures, almost like fraternal twins, standing, embracing. They seem to be carved from one piece, but the wood is cut away to delineate each figure, a man and a woman. They are not exactly alike, but they are together, a pair. He places his arm around her, while she wears a medallion. I wonder if Benpoh found the wood first and felt inspired, or if he had a vision in mind when he started carving. I love the surface quality of the figures: shiny and smooth, but rough and uneven. It is like he created a push and pull between the wood and the figures. It is a reminder that carving is a process of addition and subtraction, and this is evident in these figures.
Comments
In the late 17th century the numerous small kingdoms of the Akan peoples in the area of Ghana in West Africa were melded into a powerful empire by the chiefs of the Asante, one of the largest and most powerful of the Akan group. They developed a wide-ranging trading empire whose economy was based on the use of gold dust as the common means of exchange. Asante kings ruled over the area known as the Gold Coast (Ghana) until the 20th century and they still hold considerable prestige and power today. Like all royal systems, the Asante relied on a variety of prestigious objects to identify and honor their kings and others of high social status. Gold ornaments, luxurious woven textiles, ritual objects and carved statues were all part of the regalia and formal environment that proclaimed the lineage, position, and importance of the Asantahene, the King.This group of five figures formed part of a set of objects that honored an Asante king. The figures represent some of the King's relatives and servants who carry objects symbolic of the King's position and power. The pair of figures standing with their arms holding each other depict a couple of the royal lineage, indicated by the round metal disk hung around the woman's neck. This represents a special type of gold ornament worn by members of the royal family on important occasions. The couple is accompanied by a group of four attendants. One man carries an elaborate royal sword over one shoulder. The social status of an Asante man was marked by the type, size, material, and decoration of his clothing and personal objects, including the formal sword he was entitled to carry on ceremonial occasions. Another man carries the King's stool. Each Asante adult had a personal stool which was also believed to embody the spiritual essence of the individual and was therefore of prime importance in their daily and ceremonial lives.The other attendant is a soldier, symbol of the King's military power. He carries a flintlock musket on his shoulder and a small cask of gu
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