Kuduo (Ritual Vessel)
Akan, Ghana
Akan Copper Alloy Kuduo
West Africa
18th Century AD- 20th Century AD
11" high x 6.5" wide
Copper Alloy
(Photo from artfromancientlands.com)
Kuduo, cast brass vessels, were created to store valuables such as gold dust and other personal valuables of the owner. They are designed to protect and honor and are left at an owner’s burial site to be filled with gold and other offerings. These vessels are Islamic prototypes of containers that were important to them. They come in many distinct shapes and are used as shrines for people of wealth and power, including individuals and leaders. The vessels are not considered gods, but they posses supernatural power. Iconography is characteristic, which is a symbol of Akan traditions.[1] The metal artists of Akan started using gold to create Kuduo. It represented power and mystery, but by many it was feared and magical. Gold became a prime source of status and wealth for the Asante.[2]
This particular vessel is shaped like a bell and has a chord at the top to secure the lid. This is used to make sure all the contents stay safely inside the vessel. There are also decorative symbols around the vessel, although the meaning is undetermined.
[1] Amoah Labi, Kwame, and J. Boachie Ansah. Kudou: The Akan Art of Brass Casting. New York: Smartline Ltd., 2008.
[2] Monica Blackmun Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert M. Cole: A History of Art in Africa (Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008), 205.
Akan Copper Alloy Kuduo
West Africa
18th Century AD- 20th Century AD
11" high x 6.5" wide
Copper Alloy
(Photo from artfromancientlands.com)
Kuduo, cast brass vessels, were created to store valuables such as gold dust and other personal valuables of the owner. They are designed to protect and honor and are left at an owner’s burial site to be filled with gold and other offerings. These vessels are Islamic prototypes of containers that were important to them. They come in many distinct shapes and are used as shrines for people of wealth and power, including individuals and leaders. The vessels are not considered gods, but they posses supernatural power. Iconography is characteristic, which is a symbol of Akan traditions.[1] The metal artists of Akan started using gold to create Kuduo. It represented power and mystery, but by many it was feared and magical. Gold became a prime source of status and wealth for the Asante.[2]
This particular vessel is shaped like a bell and has a chord at the top to secure the lid. This is used to make sure all the contents stay safely inside the vessel. There are also decorative symbols around the vessel, although the meaning is undetermined.
[1] Amoah Labi, Kwame, and J. Boachie Ansah. Kudou: The Akan Art of Brass Casting. New York: Smartline Ltd., 2008.
[2] Monica Blackmun Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert M. Cole: A History of Art in Africa (Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008), 205.